Gael Winds John F Kennedy Catholic High School, Home of the Gaels Volume 1, Issue 1
October 2013
Special Points of Interest:
My Advice to the Freshman Class
The politics behind getting accepted into college A student review of the new iPad program A welcoming message from the 2013-2014 Student Council October is pediatric and breast cancer awareness month
In This Issue: Campaigning for College
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Teacher Feature: Mrs. Sun Students Enjoy New iPad Program
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A Message from the Student Council Food for Thought?
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Candyfreak, A Book Review 2013-2014 NHL Preview
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A New Perspective October: A Month to Spread Cancer Awareness, A Month to Spread Hope Nanotechnology in Action
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Four years will fly by before you know it. There will be the great moments and there will be the not so great moments, there will times when you are in awe and there will be times you just go through the motions. Although emotion always varies, there is one constant: time. It will tick by with every coming second and, eventually, the seconds will count down to that moment when you walk up to receive that diploma in front of hundreds of people, punctuating your journey through high school. Those seconds, each and every one of them, teach you, mold you, and transform you. Although I cannot give to you the experience of high school in and of itself, I can, if you’re open to it, share what time has taught me not only to have success in high school, but gather the momentum to take those beginning steps toward getting into your ideal college. My first piece of advice corresponds with my biggest regret: during my freshman year, I did not look into clubs. Please do not repeat my mistake. This is only the beginning of the year; clubs have just been formed so joining is very easy as they begin to form their schedules
and activities. I recommend entering clubs not only because they give you an opportunity to do what you love, but also meet people with similar interests. I met most of my friends through the debate club, Gael Winds, and Kennedy Live. Another important reason to join clubs is, of course, as all things seem to boil down to in high school, college. Colleges want to see that you’ve been involved in clubs and activities not just because they look good on your resume, but because you are committed and passionate and the best way to show these qualities is to be involved throughout your high school career. So if you love doing something, why wait a year or two before you get into it? If you cannot find a club that you like creating one is quite easy and worth the effort. My second piece of advice is to get things done early - be it schoolwork, projects, or standardized testing. If you start things early, you can finish on time with the results you want and not have to rush until the last minute. The key to success is time management, which I know from experience is easier said than done, but a few sacrifices go a long way, especially when you do not have to stay
All Saint’s Day What is All Saint’s Day? All Saint’s Day is a holiday celebrated by the Catholic Church and some Protestant denominations each year on the first day of November. On this day, all saints are honored. The eve of this celebration is known as All Hallows Eve, which has become secularized and is now more commonly referred to as Halloween. On this night during the
By Yaroslav Jackymec
Continued on page 3 By Jill Frasco
Middle Ages poor people in the community would beg for “soul cakes,” and upon receiving these “treats,” they would agree to pray for departed souls. This tradition is the origin of our modern day “trick-ortreat.” From that custom, All Saint’s Day and the day after, known as All Soul’s Day, came about. All Soul’s Day, an extension of All Saint’s Day, is a holiday when Christians
remember deceased family and friends. In many cultures these two days share many of the same customs. Often overshadowed by ghoulish Halloween celebrations and fanfare, All Saint’s Day is an important opportunity to honor those who behaved in the image and likeness of Jesus Christ.
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October 2013; Volume 1, Issue 1
Campaigning for College Whether you choose to think about it or not, if you are reading this article, it affects you. No matter your grade level, you will deal or are currently dealing with the college process. Perhaps you are a concerned parent, or an involved faculty member. Whatever the case may be, you should be familiar with the college process and how you can apply politics to it. Essentially, both searching for a college and applying to one can be related back to political campaigning. It is actually quite humorous how similar collegiate open houses and party conventions truly are. Perhaps informative, neither is far from being an elaborate show. Keep that in mind when touring schools. Appreciate the environment, but place value on the facts. A campus vibe is important, but do not neglect the retention rate. Now that you have decided to run for office, I mean apply to college… it is all about selling yourself. Many are familiar with the Common Application. It is a helpful tool for students and schools, as well as being an applicant’s most stressful nightmare. If you have learned anything from politics, it is: Beware of corruption. Do not lie on the application, you do not know if the colleges are checking up on you or not. You are better off with average information than trying too hard and getting caught up in deception.
After filling in the TRUTHFUL basics, it all comes down to focusing, putting in maximum effort, and letting the best version of yourself shine through. When filling out the Common Application, one can use campaign strategies to achieve success with college admissions. Taken from the book (available online) How to Sell Yourself: Using Leadership, Likability, and Luck to Succeed, author Arch Lutsberg tells about his friend’s campaign speech. He explains how his friend’s original speech noted his competence and qualifications, but was wholesomely boring. While the basics need be listed, be sure to pick things about yourself that will stand out amongst other candidates (applicants). Whether it be a unique college essay or creatively written personal information, make your application stand out. In modern politics, we often learn a lot about candidates through debates and interviews. When properly prepared, college interviews play a key role in the acceptance process. Interviews put a face to a name and bring personality to an application. They are influential and highly recommended when applying to colleges within your interest. The highly reputed interviewing expert, Noelle Torre, revealed to this journalist that college interviewers often ask the same questions from school to school. Elaborating on her extensive experience, it would be wise to interview with
Teacher Feature: Mrs. Sun GW: What classes do you teach? I teach Homeroom Mandarin, 9th grade Mandarin, and Applied Physics for seniors GW: What is your favorite topic to teach and why? I like teaching students about clothing and family members. I’m able to easily relate material to the students. I think it’s a very interesting topic. GW: Where did you go to school and what degrees do you hold? I went to Sienna College, where I obtained my Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. Then, I went to Pace, where I obtained my Master’s Degree in Education.
By Kayla Conti
GW: What made you want to become a teacher? I love to work with children. Also, my mom was a high school biology teacher in China, which inspired me to teach.
schools of lesser interest, and after having practiced, interview with top picks. For more in depth help with college interviewing, I recommend an online article entitled “Mastering Soft Skills for Workplace Success.” It gives helpful interviewing strategies for politicians and college applicants alike. Only of slightly lesser importance, teacher recommendations, too, can be equated to the political realm. Teachers are your campaign sponsors—they (should) want you to succeed and are happy to play a role in your success. In school, politics, Wi-Fi, and life as a whole, it is imperative to establish solid connections. Having good relationships with teachers will really pay off when it comes to teacher recommendations. While many people are under the impression that these recommendations are not of value, what other people have to say about you makes a difference. Life is a tricky thing, especially when you are applying to colleges (running for office). Hopefully this article has been constructive or interesting to at least some extent. Comparable to how I applied politics to the college process, you too, can apply your interests to tasks and concepts to get a better understanding and achieve greater success.
By Brendan Liberati college, there are no teachers or parents for guidance. Study skills are essential, both in high school and college. And get more sleep, since my students are always so tired in the morning.
GW: What is your favorite part about teaching at Kennedy? The staff and students are so friendly and nice. All the students are ready to learn. The students are very polite and respectful. The environment is like no other. GW: Any advice for Kennedy students either beginning high school or will soon be leaving for college? You have to be self-motivated. In
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October 2013; Volume 1, Issue 1
My Advice to the Freshman Class continued from page 1 up until three in the morning trying to get something finished to hand in later that morning. This applies to the SAT and ACT as well, if you can attain the score that you want the spring of junior year all you have to do senior year is focus on the actual application process - which in itself demands a great deal of attention. Lastly, one of the most detrimental factors in success (in anything, not just high school) is of course your attitude. General, basic kindness goes a long way. In the years that I have been here, I have never found a teacher or student who was not willing to help me out if I needed it. However, this courtesy of course is a two way street. Behavior is important especially with teachers. They want to know that you care and are not there just to fool around and waste time. There will always be those days that you just cannot focus. It happens to all of us (some more often than others) and it’s not the easiest habit to break once it has formed. My advice here: don’t let the habit form. And if it already has, try to find things that motivate you to help you snap out of that daydream you’ve been in for the past three periods before lunch. One last thing when it comes to attitude, do not be afraid. At times in the halls it seems like there is just a sea of faces of
people that you do not know. Do not worry you will get to know more and more people as the year goes on, but if you need help or you have a question do not be afraid to ask an upperclassman. At one time, we were in your same shoes and we know exactly what you are going through. Most upperclassmen would be more than happy to help in any way they can, so there is no reason to feel too intimidated or shy to approach them. I wish you all luck as you begin or continue your high school years. I hope this advice will help all of you have a better year. I want to remind all of you that no matter who you are and what your passions are, you will find your niche here at Kennedy. We all have a place in this life and Kennedy is a great place to find out who you are and what you want to become. Alex Noble summarized any and all of the advice I could ever hope to give: “Success is not a place at which one arrives but rather the spirit with which one undertakes and continues the journey.”
iPads and Blackboard is new for both the teachers and the students. We use the most recent model iPad, and they come with a really cool case that is decorated with the Kennedy logo and styluses that show off Kennedy pride. It is very helpful when taking notes using Noteability app because you can organize your notes by classes and you never have any rogue pieces of loose leaf that just want to fall out. Personally, the iPad keeps me very organized, and my backpack is also organized because I do not have many binders and papers to carry around. My textbooks are installed on the iPad and are filled with all the information I need. Reading the book is really fun, you can see things on the book that would normally lay
Thursday, October 3rd Golf Classic Friday, October 4th Community Mass Saturday, October 5th KCHS Varsity Football Homecoming Game Monday, October 14th Columbus Day, no school Wednesday, October 16th PSAT Testing, sophomores and juniors Saturday, October 19th KCHS Volleyball Invitational Sunday, October 20th Open house 1-4 pm
Students Enjoy New iPad Program The new iPad program brings new opportunities and challenges to the freshmen and junior classes. The iPad is a new tool to make our school even better, it holds all class notes, textbooks and even homework. You never even have to worry about writing down your homework in a notepad anymore because it is all contained for you in the Blackboard application. It is very easy to access Blackboard, just sign in and all of your classes pop up. You can easily color coordinate your classes and organize them by period. Each teacher can edit their page and can put up papers to be used in class. They can also collect homework online and send back comments. Students can even take quizzes on Blackboard or have a discussion on the discussion board. Using the
Important Dates and Kennedy Catholic Events this October:
By Rebecca Ruyack
flat on paper. Say you were reading about Egypt, in the paper textbook you could see the pyramid labeled, but in the online textbook you can go through the pyramid clicking on the different parts, learning about different sections of it like you are on a tour. We have really entered a new age of technology and this addition to school is pretty awesome. It seems that most of the students who have the iPad really enjoy using it—including me! I think using the iPad will make our school really unique and attract new students.
Wednesday, October 23rd Open House 7-9 pm Friday October, 25th Teacher Appreciation Day
A Message from the Student Council: On behalf of the student council, I would like to welcome back all sophomores, juniors, and seniors in addition to the new freshman class. My fellow student council members and I are hoping that all of you are comfortably settled into your new schedules and are enjoying the start to this new school year. We would like to stress that we are extremely approachable, so if you have any questions do not hesitate to approach anyone one of us. Please remember that we were elected by the student body and for the student body and are here for each and every one of you. Please, if you have any questions or suggestions, do not hesitate to bring them up. Good luck this year and God bless. Yaroslav Jackymec
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October 2013; Volume 1, Issue 1
Food for Thought
By Emma Berry
Not too long ago I went out with some friends to the mall, and decided to pick up some dinner while we were out. Entering the food court at the mall, the food options seemed endless—pizza, Chinese food, Taco Bell, ice cream, even Kentucky Fried Chicken! Feeling famished from a long day of shopping, I decided on two slices of pizza and finished the meal off with some ice cream. Little did I know of what I was putting in my body. Now, you might be saying “Well what’s wrong with some pizza and ice cream?” Those were my thoughts at one point as well. However, not many people know that your average slice of cheese pizza has approximately 237 calories and about 10.1 grams of fat. Since I had two slices, double those numbers, and that’s 474 calories and 20.2 grams of fat I consumed. A little scary, right? And don’t forget that I also had ice cream, which, in a single serving, has about 360 calories and 21 grams of fat. So, in total, my whole meal of pizza and ice cream consisted of 834 calories and 41.2 grams of fat. I am not against pizza and ice cream once in a while, but the better choice would to have been to have only one slice of pizza and maybe a small low-fat frozen yogurt instead. So many people today are not aware of what they are eating and what kind of food they are putting into their bodies—this is a major cause of the high percentage of obesity in Americans. Of course, everyone loves their junk food, and contrary to what you may believe, nearly everything is perfectly fine
to eat in moderation. Portion control is the key to a healthy lifestyle. Last February I totally turned my life around with my eating habits. Once I examined the kind of foods I was eating on a regular basis, I was thoroughly repulsed by what they contained. I was also disappointed in myself for eating that kind of food all the time. Jesus says we must love ourselves before we can love our neighbor, and one of the most important ways of loving yourself is by eating healthy. At lunch time, think about what you’re eating. We practically sit around in classrooms all day, so we are not burning a lot of energy. Be careful about eating french fries or large cookies for lunch, because that will only be stored as fat. While junk food will only satisfy you for a short while, eating healthy will last a lifetime. Eating healthy does not necessarily mean you have to count calories all the time; just have a list of foods that you know are good for you and will supply your body with the essential nutrients it needs to run on a daily basis. For example, to see a balanced diet, take a look at the Food Pyramid. On the base of the Pyramid are your carbs—rice, pasta, cereal, and whole grain breads. Carbs are essential in any diet because your body breaks them down and uses them as immediate forms of energy. Next, you have your fruits and vegetables; they provide necessary vitamins and minerals for a healthy, growing body. Then there is the dairy group and the meat group. Dairy includes
Candyfreak, A Book Review Since the beginning of the twentieth century, the place candy has in our lives and society has been defined and redefined. Before World War I, candy making was limited to adventurous immigrants who were experimenting in a new market; by the end of World War II, candy was a hot item that was prone to reinvention. But really, how interesting can candy be? The answer depends on how well you write about it. Steve Almond, author of Candyfreak, has turned what would otherwise be an insipid analysis of candy production into a witty history of candy in our lives. His account of candy making is infused with nostalgic musings about his own life
and childhood that not only make the book altogether more interesting, but also more relatable. How many of us have ever been completely floored by the taste of a candy bar? Almost all of us have, but how many want to admit that a four inch bar of chocolate has rendered us speechless? Almond captures this feeling and much more. This book is not just a history of candy making, it makes you realize just how much you like candy and how little attention you pay to it.
things such as cheese, milk, and yogurt. Dairy is important because it provides you with an important source of calcium that your body uses to build strong bones. The meats include foods such as fish, chicken, steak, and pork. Personally, I like to eat white meats such as chicken and turkey because they usually have the lowest fat content. Salmon, a type of fish, is said to be among some of the healthiest foods in the world because it provides the consumer with a great number of omega-three fatty acids; since these are not made by our body, we must consume them through our diet. Meats provide us with essential proteins that our bodies break down into amino acids and use for complex cellular activities, such as duplicating DNA, making RNA, and also producing other proteins. Lastly, on the top of the Pyramid are fats, oils, and sweets. These should be eaten in small portions and should not be consumed regularly because they can have disastrous results on your health in the future, such as obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and even heart attack and stroke. Healthy eating is simply a necessary part of any teenager’s life. It is an obligation to eat well in order to fuel your body to the best of your ability. Along with eating healthy, you’ll also feel good about yourself and gain more confidence. Healthy eating has many perks, and our bodies all deserve to be fueled by only the best foods.
By Amy Sniffen exceedingly long and is entertaining. The book has a silly title that catches your eye and is written in an elegant, yet humorous way. Candyfreak is a good book for the beginning of the school year as it is easy to get into and can take your mind off everything else.
I would recommend this book to anyone who is not looking for anything serious to read, just something funny to relax with. It reads very quickly because it is not
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October 2013; Volume 1, Issue 1
2013-2014 NHL Preview June 25th. National Hockey League fans around the world have been waiting for hockey to come back since June 25th—the day after the Chicago Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup. This year’s NHL season will start on October 1st, when the Blackhawks face off against the Washington Capitals. That is 99 days after June 25th. The wait has been long, but it will be worth it. After last season's lock out, fans have been craving two things, first that Gary Bettman gets fired and secondly, a full NHL season. Although the first probably will not happen, we will have a full season. There are four NHL teams that I believe have the potential to not only make the playoffs, but to be true Stanley Cup contenders this season. Los Angeles Kings. After surprising nearly everyone and winning the Stanley Cup with only four losses in the 2012 playoffs, the LA Kings remained a dominant team last season. They will continue to be a big team thanks to the consistency of players like Jeff Carter and Dustin Brown. The Kings did not make any major moves during the offseason, so be ready to see a very similar team as last season. Players to Watch: Jonathan Quick. One of the top goalies in the league, prepare for some spectacular saves. Anze Kopitar. After a disappointing playoff run last season, he is ready for a rebound year in a big way. Chicago Blackhawks. This is an obvious choice. After having the best start to any NHL season, they won the Stanley Cup in dramatic fashion with 2 goals in 17 seconds and only 76 seconds left in the game. Losing players Dave Bolland, Viktor Stalberg and Michael Frolik will hurt, but Chicago is in no danger thanks to their main core of players returning.
By Thomas Delfino
Players to Watch: Zdeno Chara. At 6’9” he is the tallest player ever to play in the NHL, and his slapshot is arguably the best in the league. Jarome Iginla. After surprising everyone last season and joining the Penguins instead of the Bruins, he will be with the organization this season. It will be very interesting to see how the 36 year old is put to use. New York Rangers. At the end of a disappointing 4-1 second round playoff series loss the Bruins, head coach John Tortorella was fired and Alain Vigneault was hired (coincidentally Tortorella now holds Vigneault's former job in Vancouver). Vigneault is bringing in a new up-tempo style of play and a positive attitude. The team has a great surplus of depth players, and with starters Carl Hagelin and Ryan Callahan missing the start of the season with injuries, these players have a chance to make a serious impression. If the Rangers can finally start scoring goals on the power play, they have a serious shot at a long playoff run. Players to Watch: Henrik Lundqvist. Arguably the best goalie in the NHL, Lundqvist will be hoping to have another big year as he is playing for a contract extension. Chris Krieder. Krieder and Tortorella did not get along, but he has a fresh start with Vigneault and is starting on the top line alongside stars Rick Nash and Brad Richards.
Players to Watch: Patrick Kane. Patty Kane is just fun to watch—if you have not already seen his stick handling video, stop what you're doing and go take a look. Bryan Bickell. With 17 points in the playoffs last season, he is set to have an even better year. Boston Bruins. Another obvious choice, the Bruins exceeded everyone's expectations last season when they swept the heavily favored Pittsburgh Penguins and made it to the Stanley Cup Finals. The Bruins have been very consistent the past few seasons and, in a blockbuster offseason trade, Tyler Seguin was sent to the Dallas Stars, bringing in Loui Eriksson along with some additional depth players. The Bruins will most likely be as consistent this year as they have been in the past.
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October 2013; Volume 1, Issue 1
October: A Month to Spread Cancer Awareness, A Month to Spread Hope When you or a loved one is faced with the fearsome diagnosis of cancer, it is normal to experience feelings like hopelessness, trepidation, and despair. In those moments, we are most in need of comfort, faith, and the hope of healing. Approximately 1, 660,920 men and women were diagnosed and 580, ,350 men and women died this year of cancer. Each day fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters, children and adults around the world hear the heart wrenching words, “You have been diagnosed with cancer.” In that instant their lives are changed forever. The most important question forms in their mind Will I survive?
made great strides in the battle against childhood cancer. Due to momentous developments in treatment over the last 30 years, the combined 5year survival rate for children with cancer increased by more than 20 percent. Today, an extensive amount of children diagnosed with cancer can expect a time when their illness will be in long-term remission or cured altogether.
Although hearing the word “cancer” may seem like an end, it can be the beginning of finding hope, experiencing strength, and receiving support from people everywhere. Every month sheds light on the fact that cancer is a prominent aspect of our society. September and October of this year are known as National Childhood Cancer Awareness and National Breast Cancer Awareness months, respectively.
Breast cancer is one of the deadliest illnesses caused by malignant cells. To honor those lives that been touch though this diseases, October serves as a time to think pink. Organized activities such as parties, walks, and marathons raise money and help share information about breast cancer. The Susan G. Komen 3 Day ‘For the Cure’ Walk is a sixty-mile fundraising walk, which spreads across three days, to raise money for breast cancer. When Susan G. Komen was during from breast cancer, her sister Nancy G. Brinker promised she would do everything in her power to terminate this disease forever. Thus, her sister launched a global breast cancer movement in 1982 as a network for survivors and activists to empower people and encourage cancer research.
Pediatric cancer is a leading cause of death by disease for American children under 15. For those children and their families, and in memory of every young person lost to cancer, we unite behind enhanced treatment, innovative research, and brighter futures for young people everywhere. Over the past few decades, doctors and researchers have
Here at Kennedy, we are fortunate enough to have the Relay for Life Club, which specializes in fundraising to provide our commitment to fighting cancer. Last year we raised hundreds of dollars for the American Cancer Society to offer support for the brave men and women struggling with this disease. As a co-founder of the
Nanotechnology in Action Nanotechnology is a relatively new area in the scientific field. It mainly deals with physics at a “nanoscale” (nano being a prefix that means 10^-9 ) and attempts to discover the secrets of why pieces of matter are built the way they are. Recently there has been much progress in the field with an influx of new physicists. I am sure you have seen the trending videos for a product called “NeverWet” a solution that strangely causes water and other liquids to seemingly slide off of the object with the said product. You may be asking yourself how, or why, does this happen. With nanotechnology, scientists are able to work at such an infinitesimally small level so they are able to learn and eventually manipulate the very nature of naturally occurring elements and chemical compounds. NeverWet is the very product of this manipulation. Scientists have been able to develop hydrophobic solution that causes any and all liquids to have essentially no effect on solid objects, the product's name proves very true. It may not seem like a revolutionary idea now but realize that now we have the ability to manipulate matter to fit our needs and desires. With time we
By Ellen Spillane
Relay for Life Club, I can honestly say there is no greater feeling than knowing we have given comfort and hope to those that need it most. This year the Relay for Life Club at Kennedy will be participating in a Relay for Life at the end of the year in culmination of a year’s worth of fundraising. The most important thing during an illness is to never lose hope. By participating in cancer awareness actions, we are giving heart to all those who fight to survive. This time of cancer awareness is a time for everyone to realize the overwhelming challenges posed by cancer, the optimism and positive environment that we can provide, and the love and care we should give to each person who is holding on for their life. We can all join in the fight, one step at a time.
By Joseph Neithardt
may be able to advance our methods and truly make a significant difference for all of mankind. Advances in nanotechnology are continually changing the world around us.
Staff & Contact Us Faculty Moderator: Mrs. McGown Editor-in-Chief: Kate Nowinski Copy Editors: Noelle Torre & Stephanie Ferreira Contributors: Yaroslav Jackymec, Kayla Conti, Josephy Neithardt, Ellen Spillane, Amy Sniffen, Brendan Liberati, Jill Frasco, Tom Delfino, Emma Berry, Rebecca Ruyack Contact via email: gaelwinds@kennedycatholic.org mmcgown@kennedycatholic.org katenowinski@yahoo.com Or speak with either Mrs. McGown or Kate Nowinski Page 6