Cathedral High School Volume 104 Issue 6 May 21, 2025
3// Skin Cancer Awareness
4// A Leprechaun's Farewell
7// New Irish Swim Coach
8/ New 2025-2026 Schedule
MEGAPHONE
On the front cover
The 35th Annual irish 500 took place on May 16th and was one of the most memorable races to date. The class of 2028 took home the Irish 500 trophy by winning the race by, almost, an entire lap.
by Joellen Desautels
Camila Jackson '26
Mary Murphy '25 Reporters
Yohali Castro '26
Jennifer Velazquez '27
Yackelin Castro '27
Ben Kauffman '26
On the back cover
The final day of regular classes for seniors always involves an end of the day slip 'n slide. The class of 2025 came together in the courtyard one final time as an entire class and enjoyed an afternoon sliding down hill. photo submitted.
Faculty Moderator
Mr. Marc Quaranta Principal Mr. Mark Matthews
President Dr. Robert Bridges
photo
Raising Awareness for Skin Cancer
With May being the month for Skin Cancer Awareness, the Irish Connection hopes to spread awareness of cancer, how to prevent, and share some personal journeys.
As the flowers begin to bloom, the sun comes out, and as summer vacation approaches, it is best to take care of oneself in the Indiana heat. One way to do so is by taking care of the skin. Unfortunately, for some people, this is harder than others. The month of May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month.
For those who may not know, skin cancer is one of the top 5 most common cancers in the United States. In the United States alone, there are over 9,500 Americans that are diagnosed with skin cancer every day. Also in the United States, one in every five people develop skin cancer by the age of 70. There are also more people diagnosed with skin cancer every year than all other cancers combined. Fortunately, it is also a highly preventable type of cancer. To protect one from any type of skin cancer; wear SPF, avoid tanning beds, look for shade during peak sun hours, wear hats or any protective clothing, and schedule a skin check with a dermatologist.
All of these things are valuable lessons that Admissions Operation Manager and Special Projects Manager-President’s Office, Maribeth Cloud, learned over time. Cloud was diagnosed with Squamous Cell Carcinoma, a type of skin cancer. Cloud said, “When I first found out I had Squamous Cell Carcinoma–skin cancer–on my face, my initial reaction was denial.”
Before her initial diagnosis of Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Cloud had a history of using tanning beds in high school and college. It was in recent years that Cloud became diligent in her skin care and it was because of these factors that Cloud’s initial reaction to the diagnosis was denial. Cloud said, “I have had a few spots removed in the past, so I tried to convince myself it was probably nothing. But this one felt different. It was painful and persistent.”
After the diagnosis with Squamous Cell
BY YOHALI CASTRO
Carcinoma came the treatments “which was far more intense than anything I had ever experienced before”, said Cloud. Cloud’s most recent treatment, Mohs surgery, has been the hardest part of her journey. Mohs surgery is a highly precise method used to treat skin cancer by removing thin layers of affected skin sequentially. Each layer is carefully examined under a microscope until only cancer-free tissues remain. Cloud said, “I experienced significant pain, discomfort, and swelling both during and after the procedure.”
Cloud’s normal radiation treatments were five days a week for a total of five weeks. With the amount of time that these treatments took from her time, Cloud found it inconvenient to balance between work and friends. Regardless of this inconvenience, Cloud has had various shoulders to lean on! Her supportive family and colleagues have offered Cloud both understanding and practical help in the moments she needs them the most. Along with these supportive family members and colleagues, Cloud also has God to put her trust in. Cloud said “turning my worry over to God has provided me with a deep sense of peace, strength, and reassurance that I am not alone.”
Along with the pain that came following
her diagnosis, Cloud felt a tremendous wave of anxiety, overwhelmingness, uncertainty, fear, and also frustration. Cloud said, “It’s hard to not look back and wish I had known more or done things differently.”A lot of the big factors to her Squamous Cell Carcinoma diagnosis were decisions she made in her earlier high school and college years. But it is thanks to the things she knows now, that Cloud takes excellent care of her skin. Through her entire journey, Cloud has most certainly learned valuable lessons, felt enormous emotions, overcome lots of challenges, and triumphed over lots of victories.
Cloud said, “This experience has challenged me emotionally, but also reminded me of the importance of self-care, awareness, and being proactive about my health.” Cloud believes that awareness plays a crucial role in the prevention of skin cancer and that everyone should become aware of how to take care of oneself to prevent such things from happening.
Cloud hopes by sharing her journey with skin cancer, people may make better decisions. Cloud said, “Please don’t follow my example. Be smarter, be safer, and take the steps to protect your skin–it’s not worth the risk.”
Senior Send Off
Executive Editor of the Megaphone, Champions Together President, Leprechaun, and so much more. Mary Murphy says her goodbye
Dear Ole Cathedral, Thank you. Thank you for the countless memories, opportunities, and experiences you provided me over these past four years. Thank you for the many lessons I learned that will stick with me for the rest of my life. Thank you for introducing me to the best friends, teachers, and support systems I could’ve asked for. I did many things while I was here on the
Hill, honestly too many to count. In no particular order, these Top Ten Best Moments have shaped my highschool experience. The funny, the happy, the sad, we saw it all.
As you can tell, I was pretty busy in High School. Some honorable mention moments would also be winning Ice Princess, Junior and Senior Spring Break, Freshman
First and foremost, the beloved Cathedral “Spirit Stick.” The proof of being the best class on the Hill. The most prestigious bragging rights. Many classes can say that they have won the “Spirit Stick” before, but not many Cathedral classes can say that they’ve won it twice. The class of 2025 can. Winning the “Spirit Stick” back to back years might honestly be one of my biggest accomplishments in my lifetime.
Senior Retreat 2, Group 5, Pink Ponies. I am 100% convinced that this group was the best Senior Retreat group to ever exist at Cathedral. These people are truly some of the funniest, strongest, most amazing people I have ever met. God was shining through each one of them over those four days and I am beyond grateful to have been a part of the Pink Ponies. Mrs. Carter, Jack, Dre, Slater, Emerson, Erika, and Kelyn, I love you all.
year Lip sync, Prom, Chem Labs, Junior retreat, and Freshman resource. Each memory, big or small, helped shape the person I am today—and I wouldn’t trade a single moment. Here’s to the laughs, the lessons, and the journeys still to come! Thank you Cathedral, you will be missed.
Cunningham jumps out of the pool in excitement after setting a school record. Cunnigham had been working hard all season and finally broke the record The lip sync battle my junior year was a performance of a lifetime.performed “I Want It That Way,” The BackStreet Boys. Classic. Everything about it was perfect. The outfits, the song, Father Geoff, everything. The only thing that didn't go our way was the fact that we lost. Whether it was because of jealousy or “needing to let the Seniors have something”, we all knew who the real winners were.
The Freshman year FAN BUS. My freshman year, the boys basketball team went to the state championship. In the Regional finals, Cathedral took a bus of students to go cheer on the team. The whole bus was singing songs, making jokes, having the time of their lives. Definitely crashed hard on the bus ride home though, there is photo proof. As a freshman, this really set up my time here. Bonding with juniors and seniors made me feel welcome. This day is probably the reason I became the Leprechaun.
Becoming the Cathedral Leprechaun was such a fun time. I absolutely loved every second of it. Whether it was football games, reunions, or even a golf outing, being able to represent Cathedral spirit was a blast. I met so many people, got to be apart of amazing traditions, and even got to talk to Cathedral Alumni and Gold Medalist, Cole Hocker.
Homecoming at Cathedral is like no other. Dressing up, decorating the hallways, raising money, powderpuff, and of course the assembly- it is such a special week. All four years, I took full advantage of the opportunities given that week. Each year, I dressed up in a blow up outfit at least once. When I say I went all out, I mean it. I was never afraid to show my school spirit, even dressing up in a “Santa riding a reindeer” blow up my freshman year. Looking back, I understand why I became the leprechaun.
In my senior swim season, the Cathedral girls swim team won the City Championship. For the first time in 5 or 6 seasons, the Cathedral Girls team beat Chatard. Being able to leave swimming behind with a City trophy was absolutely amazing. Getting to push in the coaches and sing the fight song was a moment I will never forget.
Senior Powder Puff was the best game of any type of football I’ve ever seen. The Gold Diggers, a team made up of pure athleticism, determination, and skill. We shut out the other team 25-0.The crowd was electric, cheering us on with every play. It was a game none of us will ever forget.
Highschool athletics can be very daunting and terrifying to a freshman. Starting my freshman season of swimming, I was horrified. I had no idea that those 5 months would be my favorite time of my entire highschool career. All of it was special. Spending time with my new best friends, getting ihop, carpooling, blasting music in and out of the pool, and I guess the actual swimming part too. My freshman season was nothing short of amazing, and I am so grateful for the Cathedral swimming program and all it has taught me.
Champions Together Basketball is by far my favorite part of Cathedral Athletics. Every year, the athletes of Champions Together come together and play a game at a boys basketball halftime show. Watching Cathedral students and fans show up and support these athletes just warmed my heart. My Junior year, one of the athletes ZZ had an incredible game. She loved the attention and all of the fans. The crowd was cheering so loud, and everyone’s smiles were so big.
2025-2026 Cathedral Leprechauns
The Cathedral family is excited to welcome two new leprechauns for the upcoming 2025-2026 school year.
As the 2024-2025 school year comes to a close, preparations for the upcoming year are underway and many are buzzing with anticipation of what the next year will look like. With classes already scheduled and important dates being set, one of the most anticipated parts of the upcoming school year took place during the Intramural Championship game on April 29th: the introduction of two current juniors who will act as the leprechauns next year. This honor is given to two individuals from the current junior class who truly embody school pride, energy, unity, and faith.
Seniors Mary Murphy and Dana Hyde, the 2025 Cathedral leprechauns, have done an excellent job leading their peers this year, but have now stepped down and have handed over their reins to Isabella Cadwell and Clare Meschi, both of whom have shown an incredible dedication to Cathedral since stepping foot on the Hill.
Juniors Isabella Cadwell and Clare Meschi, the new 2025-2026 leprechauns, pose for a photo in the WAC after introducing themselves before the Intramural Championship. Cadwell and Meschi are some of the most outgoing students at Cathedral, as they go all out for Homecoming themes and other days of celebration. photo by Karly Boggs '28.
Coming from a family with strong ties to Cathedral, her sister, three cousins, and uncle are all alumni, Cadwell grew up attending athletic events and saw the leprechauns leading cheers from the sidelines. From a young age, she saw herself in that green, Irish suis, wanting more than anything to be there among her peers. Cadwell said, “When I saw the leprechaun for the first time, I told myself that I was going to be that one day.” Now, that dream has come to life.
Meschi, who moved to Indianapolis from New York right before her freshman year, never anticipated becoming a leprechaun. However, her enthusiasm for school spirit became evident as soon as she stepped on the Hill. She began working on the student council, went all out for all the homecoming themes, and took advantage of every opportunity to contribute to the Cathedral community. Her dedication to these events, such as dyeing her hair green for All Out Irish and dressing up as Gru from Minions for Movie Day, caught the attention of her peers and faculty. Meschi said, “People would comment about how I should be the leprechaun senior year if I continued my school spirit but I always brushed it off and thought it would never happen.”
Both juniors have gone through significant personal growth since their freshman year. Coming from Nativity, a small school with only a few students coming to Cathedral, Cadwell began high school knowing very few people, but that didn’t stop her from branching out. She is now currently involved in Concert Choir, Irish Adrenaline, Rush Show Choir, the Middle School Show Choir, Dance Team, Ultimate Frisbee, National Honor Society,
BY CAMILA JACKSON
and various student clubs. Cadwell said, “I definitely have grown outside of my comfort zone and have been more myself at Cathedral than I have been anywhere else. Cathedral is a special place and it really brings me joy when I’m here.”
Meschi also participates in countless clubs and teams at Cathedral. She participates in Theater, Swimming, Lacrosse, ASL Club, Student Council, and Holy Cross Council. Beyond academics, she enjoys outdoor activities, particularly hiking and camping with friends.
As these rising seniors step into their new roles as the 2025-2026 Cathedral leprechauns, both students are eager to participate in every Cathedral game and event, wanting to create lasting memories with their peers. For Cadwell, being a leprechaun represents the fulfillment of a long-held childhood dream. For Meschi, it signifies her journey since moving to a new city and starting over. Together, they show the spirit of Cathedral. Cadwell said, “I am most excited for going to all the games and hyping up all the students and making more memories!”
As the school gears up for another year on the Hill, the student body can rest assured knowing that its newest leprechauns will bring high energy to every event. Whether it's leading the chants in the stands, hyping up the crowd during pep rallies, or simply offering a warm smile, Cadwell and Meschi are ready to lead and make their senior year memorable, not just for themselves, but for the entire school community. Junior Yohali Castro said, “I think Issy and Clare are the perfect two people to represent our class.”
Cathedral Swim Enters New Era
Irish Swim Team Announces New Head Coach for 2025 Season
After many successful years, Cathedral swim will have a new coach replacing Coach Megan Ahnert. Under coach Ahnert the Irish swim team took many steps forward with success and is looking to continue and build upon that in the future. The swim program looks to continue success in the future in its new era. To lead the swimmers for seasons to come is former assistant coach and, now, new Head Coach Mandy Long ‘98.
Coach Long will begin her first season as the Irish Head coach next winter and is preparing the program for the future right now. Long is a former swimmer for the Irish and has been around the program for many years. Cathedral Swim holds a special meaning to Coach Long. “Returning to Cathedral as the head coach of the swim team not only represents a personal milestone for me, but also allows me to give back to a community that has greatly
The Irish wrapped up a successful season this year with new school records under breakout swimmer class of 2028’ Olive Cunningham. She broke a 13 year old record in the 100 Meter backstroke event this season. Cunningham swam her first season with Coach Long as an assistant coach. She’s looking forward to having Coach Long continue to help her grow these next couple of seasons. “Coach Long has been one of my favorite people so far swimming for Cathedral. She’s always encouraged me to compete at my best.”
Cathedral Swim has a proud history and tradition. School records are a very important thing that means a lot not only to the athletes but to the staff and coaches as well. Being able to preserve the history of the swim program and also write some of her own is very important to Long. “Honoring the traditions of Cathedral Swim is also paramount. Our history is rich with achievements, mentorship, and the spirit of camaraderie. I plan to incorporate these elements into our daily practices and competitions, reminding athletes of the legacy they are a part of. Celebrating our past will not only foster pride but also a sense of belonging, connecting current swimmers with alumni who paved the way.”
Coach Long has already made a big impact at Cathedral swim as an assistant Coach. Her leadership and coaching ability has helped many swimmers reach their potential in the pool. Cunningham said ‘’Coach Long is really encouraging and positive to everyone in the pool. She wants all of us to give our best and helps us push ourselves to be better.
influenced my life. My journey as a student at Cathedral shaped my values, work ethic, and passion for swimming, and I see this role as an opportunity to inspire the next generation of athletes.”
As Long looks to the 2025/2026 season she is hoping to instill and enrich many values important to the Irish Swim Program. “My goal is to integrate innovative training techniques that keep our athletes engaged and excited about their development. Whether through new training regimens, mental conditioning, or creating opportunities for collaboration
BY BEN KAUFFMAN
with other swim programs, I want to ensure that our swimmers are well-prepared for competition while enjoying the process of training.”
The swimmers at Cathedral are one of the closest teams at Cathedral. This is not done by accident, and is arguably the most important value to the team. This is something Coach Long wants to make sure continues under her leadership. “The community aspect of Cathedral Swim is one of the most rewarding parts of this experience. I’m committed to nurturing an atmosphere where athletes support one another, celebrate each other's successes, and work through challenges together. Swimming can be an individual sport, but it thrives in a supportive environment that encourages teammates to cheer each other on. I can’t wait to lead this swim team into city championships, sectional wins, Cathedral record-breaking performances, and state placements.”
Cunningham is looking forward to growing under Coach Long in her next 3 seasons as an Irish swimmer. She is looking forward to hopefully making more school records and more memories on the team. “Breaking a school record my freshman year was amazing but I’m hoping I’ll be able to get more. Obviously I want to continue to grow as a swimmer and hopefully qualify for state.”
Coach Long and the Irish have a bright future ahead. Team success in and out of the pool will continue to be extremely important under Coach Long. Building a culture of support and comradery while also being competitive will help the team reach its full potential. Coach Long said, “Ultimately, my vision is to create a program where each swimmer feels inspired and motivated to reach their personal best while cherishing the journey they undertake in the pool. By upholding the proud traditions of Cathedral and instilling a sense of purpose and community, I’m hopeful we can achieve great things together.”
New coach Mandy Long celebrates with former Head Coach Meg Ahnert and freshman Olive Cunningham after Olive broke a Cathedral record.
2025/2026 Schedule Change
After months of meetings and discussion, Cathedral High School has decided on a new schedule for students and staff starting next school year.
Cathedral High School has announced the final schedule for the 2025-2026 School year making a significant difference in the daily routine for both students and staff in order to ensure students a greater opportunity to excel in both their academics and careers.
For the past several years, the school schedule was based on a four-day rotation known as day one through four and had 7 class periods Alpha through G period. Days one, three and four always started with alpha period as the first class of the day while on day two’s students began their school day with F period. Day one started with alpha and made its way through letters A to E. Then day two started with F period and ended in D, on day three’s class would begin with alpha and make its way from E and end in B. Lastly on day four’s class began with C and finally ended the four day rotation with G period.
For the upcoming school year, Cathedral administrators decided on a new schedule accommodated due to the state's requirements. Staff members found the opportunity to support students in their educational needs and created a better understanding environment through the new constructed schedule. Indiana's state requirements ensure that Cathedral offers the Indiana College Core plan, which is 30 dual credit hours. By having this Core plan students will have the opportunity for their dual credit hours to transfer over to any public or private state universities. These requirements will be met during the school year once the new schedule is implemented and put into use.
Next year's 4-day rotation schedule features an eight period rotation. All of the four days within these rotations ensure students have the chance to come in for office hours, ensuring they seek the assistance they need from 8:00 to 8:35 in the morning before school starts. On day one students will attend class periods one through six, then on day two, students will end the eight period rotation
BY YACKELIN CASTRO
and flow back to period six. On day three, the first two classes are periods one and two, followed by periods seven through four. Lastly, day four begins with periods one and two, and move into period five through eight completing the four day rotation.
The new schedule will provide students with the opportunity to take dual credit courses off campus. STEM Director Dr. Aarti Brooks said, “Currently we have a number of Cathedral teachers that have received training and appropriate coursework to become accredited dual credit teachers. Having this opportunity benefits students by helping them earn college credits in high school, preparing them for greatness and success. On top of those opportunities, job shadowings, job sharings, and internships will be available and supported through Cathedral. In order to provide students with many off campus opportunities, the school needed to construct a schedule with a new start to the schedule. This Is the main reason for starting three of the four days with the same two periods. It allows for students with late arrivals to use this time to attend job sites.
Principal Mark Matthews said, “Because we have those two periods anchored, juniors and seniors will be able to meet our new diploma requirements for job sharing, job shadowing, and internship, but give them a couple of periods if they have
a late arrival, that they could actually go to a job site and get that done in the future.”
Due to the flexibility of the new schedule, it is possible for college professors to come in and teach a class, however this isn’t necessarily needed by the school as of today and it isn’t required by Indiana.
However in the future if it is needed, it would be made possible, giving students extra support for whichever classes they choose to take. If Cathedral ever needs support in providing students with access to college level courses or learning experiences, the flexibility of this new schedule will allow students to access these resources.
This new accommodated schedule aims for greatness, whether it’s on or off campus through the many offered opportunities to learn and excel. Students have the ability to work on their independence through taking part in a variety of off campus activities, classes, and job shadowings. This flexibility provides students with freedoms that ensure a learning environment in which they can best succeed in, preparing them for the future that awaits. Ingrid Cardoza ‘26 said, “These new modifications are super beneficial for all students, it helps save money and allows them a head start on their college education by earning dual credits through Cathedrals partnership with Ivy Tech.”
Curtain Call for All Choirs
Spring Choir Concert Unites All Choirs in a Night of Powerful Performances.
As the final notes of The Irish Blessing echoed through the auditorium, a hush fell over the room-a rare silence that said everything the performers couldn’t. For the students of Cathedral’s show choir program, the Spring Concert marked more than just the end of a season. It marked the end of an era.
Onstage, the audience saw smiles, sequins, and perfect harmonies. But backstage, it was a different scene. Behind the curtain, tears fell quietly, hugs were exchanged, and the weight of goodbye settled over the performers like a final curtain call.
Gabby Wells ‘26, a dedicated member of both Irish Adrenaline and Adrenaline Rush, put it simply, “The emotions I felt backstage were sad—because it was the last time we’d all be together with the seniors and the last time we would be performing this show.”
This year’s show, Spies Are Forever, was
a high-energy set filled with daring choreography and emotional storytelling. For Margaret Abel ‘27, the last song carried a special meaning. “When we were performing our last song, Spies Are Forever, it really made me nostalgic because of the meaning of the song—it’s basically saying we’ll be here forever.”
For senior members, this performance was a final bow. For younger performers, it was a bittersweet passing of the torch. Together, they had trained, competed, celebrated, and struggled. Now, they shared one last spotlight.
Show choir at Cathedral isn’t just about singing and dancing. It’s about purpose. “The thing I’ll miss most about Irish Adrenaline is doing it with my seniors,” Wells said. “And the thing I’ll miss most about Rush is just being in it. It was so much fun, and it made me feel like I had a purpose-something that not all of my friends were in.”
That sense of identity and unity is something Abigail Smith ‘27 will carry with her, too. “The thing I love most about the show choir is the people and the performances,” Smith said. 'What I'll miss about Spies Are Forever is singing the ballad at competitions."
Her favorite memory? “The final dance break,” she said with a smile. “That moment on stage just felt electric."
Throughout the season, students didn't just grow as performers—they grew as people. “Something I’ll carry with me is all the hard work,” Abigail said. “And everything I learned about being a better performer."
Both Abel and Smith agree on one thing: show choir is more than most people realize.
“One thing I wish people outside of show choir understood better,” Wells explained, “Is that it’s very much a sport. The whole team relies on each other. We compete against other schools, and it’s very physically demanding.”
Those diamonds were on fully display during the Spring Concert, which fea-
BY JENNIFER VELAZQUEZ
tured performances from all levels of the program—from the middle school Lucky Charms to the senior-lead Irish Adrenaline, Adrenaline Rush, and Concert Choir. Each group brought their unique sound and energy to the stage one final time.
The night included several tribute performances that stirred powerful emotions. The boys of show choir sang a moving medley of songs from Hamilton, including "Dear Theodosia," "What Did I Miss," "Story of Tonight," and "One Last Time."
The senior girls performed a touching rendition of "In My Dreams" from Anastasia, showcasing not only their vocal talent but also their growth over the years.
But no moment was more emotional than the traditional closing song, The Irish Blessing. For many, it was impossible not to cry.
”There were people crying backstage just watching their friends perform," one observer said. “It’s hard to let go of something that’s meant so much.”
Wells described that final moment as the hardest of all: “I’ll never forget that feeling. We were all crying, knowing this was the last time we’d perform together. But at the same time, it felt beautiful. It was the end of one chapter, and the start of another.”
Mrs. Jordan Fox, the Theatre Director, watched the evening unfold with pride. “This wasn’t just a show,” she said. “This was a celebration of all the hard work, dedication, and love these students have poured into their music. I couldn’t be more proud."
The Spring Concert bid farewell to the seniors, many of whom had been a part of the program for four years, while simultaneously welcoming the rising stars who will take over next season. A heartfelt thank you is due to Marian Bender the Director of Choirs, Jordan Fox the co-Director, and of course, Cathedral Performing Arts.
The directors were honored with flowers, gifts, and applause as a token of appreciation for their leadership throughout the season. Smiles lit up the stage as students celebrated their mentor’s impact on the show choir community. It was a heartfelt moment that marked the end of an unforgettable chapter. photo by Abigail Chezem.
