a community of faith-filled PVI students and staff collaborating at the intersection of inspiration and information
a Writer’s Block Club Production
April 2025
It’s spring. It’s time to explore new things, grow that garden, embrace consequences, celebrate the skills of others, go on a scavenger hunt, and travel (if even vicariously) to places in the world others have been. This issue will help you with all of that (and more)! From listening to Matt Maher’s new songs of praise (yes, the same co-creator of the goosebump-inflicting “Lord, I Need You” song we sing at Mass), venturing west to Death Valley where the temperature soaring into the 120s (°F) is not an outlier, and beholding the Japan-bestowed cherry blossoms in D.C., to getting to know PVI’s b-baller #23, our resident 3D-printing guru, and a freshman who has been golfing since she was just seven – this issue will inspire you! Be sure to test your skills (and patience) at making it through all the levels of this issue’s scavenger hunt, and check out the international spring writing and creative media contests, including the cool 5-minute podcast contest sponsored by The New York Times. Happy Easter Season!
The Return of Catholic Culture:
Reports of Latin’s Death Have Been Greatly Exaggerated
At school-wide Masses at PVI recently, you may have noticed more Latin being incorporated, and you may have wondered why After all, Latin is a “dead” language, isn’t it? In actuality, Latin has been (and remains) the official language of the Catholic Church This means that it is indeed still living and in use There are many reasons why, from the very foundation of Christianity, Latin has been important to the Church: Latin has helped to make the Church and Her liturgy universal, it has provided a powerful connection to the past, and it has served as a superlative language for singing the praises of God
The word catholic means universal, and the Catholic Church is indeed today spread throughout the entire world, preaching the Gospel and bringing salvation to all through Christ in the Mass and in the Sacraments For this global organization, a common language has been extremely helpful Indeed, the use of multiple languages can lead to disunion For example, in A D 1054, the Eastern (Greekspeaking) Church tragically split with the Western (Latinspeaking) Church in an event known as the Great Schism. In hindsight, it is now possible to see how some of the theological disagreements that caused the rupture resulted from miscommunication and mistranslation between the two languages Also, using two different languages simply seems to have caused the two halves of the Church to feel less unified
If a single langu be used, which be? Thankfully, necessary to cho languages spok nation states to that would be fr political controv the Latin Rite of Church has sim Latin as its unive language Latin one’s first langu makes it a neutr unifying) option Catholic Church language.
It is possible to d comparison to t English as an of language in India The British once ruled India, but even after India gained its independence in 1947, India decided to retain English as one of its official languages English was not a language associated with any specific region of India, but was a language that India had inherited As such, it could serve India in an official capacity as a neutral language
a universal language cutting across national boundaries and as such the Apostolic See still constantly makes use of it in letters and acts addressed to the whole Catholic family” (John Paul II, Certamen Vaticanum)
In a similar way, Catholics in Africa, for example, greatly appreciate the common and unifying use of Latin in worship due to the practical difficulty of translating the Mass into a vast number of different tribal languages and dialects on that continent
For many reasons, Latin has served the Church well as a liturgical language Using a language for worship distinct from anyone’s language of everyday communication indicates that the prayer is placed above the ordinary It is set apart and, thus, holy Latin is not used for chit-chat, but is uniquely reserved for prayer and matters of spiritual and religious significance continued
Reports of Latin’s Death Have Been Greatly Exaggerated
It can therefore immediately elevate our minds to something greater and heavenly Though Christ would have spoken Aramaic in ordinary conversation, as a rabbi, He would have used the Jewish liturgical language of Hebrew when praying and teaching in the synagogue Latin has served a similar function for the Catholic Church. Indeed, for centuries, the Mass and Divine Office were exclusively said and chanted in Latin In Dominicae Cenae, Pope St. John Paul II indicated that Latin was “an expression of the unity of the Church and through its dignified character elicited a profound sense of the Eucharistic Mystery” (John Paul II, Dominicae Cenae)
A counterargument to the use of Latin would be that Mass goers cannot understand it However, as an attendee of the Traditional Latin Mass (TLM), I have realized that the Ordinary of the Mass, that is, the prayers said at every Mass, do not change Therefore, these words of the liturgy become familiar very quickly I have never formally studied Latin in a classroom, but with routine exposure, the text has become understandable to me In addition, before the transition to vernacular languages, many lay Catholics possessed their own missals with the Latin prayers containing translations into their own languages Furthermore, the Epistle and Gospel translations are likewise available and are typically also read in translation before the homily In short, Latin as a liturgical language need not be an insurmountable barrier to comprehension
There are also some practical reasons why Latin is fairly easy for many Catholics across the world to use English and all Romance languages, such as Spanish and French, have an enormous number of Latinderived words While this is not directly of help to Catholics who do not speak one of these languages as their native language, these languages are also among the most common second languages in the world The website Ethnologue identifies English as the most studied second language globally with 1 1 billion secondlanguage speakers and French as the fourth most common with 238 million. Therefore, there are many people in the world who speak either a first or second language that uses Latinderived words and the Latin alphabet
It can also be emphasized that the use of Latin in the Church today can not only connect us with all other Catholics across the world, but also offers us a powerful connection to centuries of Christian culture in the West At first, the Church used Koine Greek, the original language of the New Testament As Christianity spread around the Mediterranean, pagan Roman emperors like Nero and Diocletian violently persecuted the Church, with thousands of Christian martyrs being killed in the arenas The first pope, St Peter, was himself martyred in Rome
However, Christianity ultimately triumphed in Rome itself, and Rome, as the Chair of Peter, became the headquarters of the Catholic Church St Peter’s Basilica was built over St Peter’s grave Latin, as the language of Rome, was naturally adopted as the Church’s official language From the Greek, St Jerome produced the Latin Vulgate Bible. Even after the Roman Empire fell, the Latin Church survived and continues to this day As Father Johnathan described in his homily at the schoolwide Mass for the Feast of the Annunciation, Latin serves as our reminder that the Church, in a sense, conquered the Roman Empire for Christ continued
Reports of Latin’s Death Have Been Greatly Exaggerated
Throughout the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, classical and ecclesiastical learning was preserved in Latin. Medieval monasteries passed along the works of Greek and Roman philosophers Latin served as the lingua franca in philosophy, mathematics, and science Sir Isaac Newton published his brilliant writings on mathematics and physics not in English, but in Latin All educated people in the western world were inspired by knowledge and wisdom set down in Latin, and among these were the founding fathers of the United States Their fascination with the classical world is reflected in the Roman architecture of the government buildings found everywhere in our nation’s capital In a similar way, the Catholic Church preserves the use of Latin (and, to a more limited extent, Ancient Greek, Aramaic, and Hebrew) to maintain a connection to the past, back to the time of the founding of the Church
Lastly, throughout history, many have appreciated the supreme artistic and spiritual value of Latin as a language of worship, to include its use in chant and polyphonic singing. Note that Modern English does not sound like Middle English or Old English because, as a living language, it has evolved over time Latin in the Church, because it was not a dead language but rather a living liturgical language, similarly evolved over the centuries From its origins in Classical Latin, the pronunciation of Ecclesiastical Latin emerged.
In particular, Ecclesiastical Latin took on a pronunciation that is today closer to modern Italian This can be seen as a fortuitous change because Italian is often regarded as one of the most beautiful of all spoken languages in the world and is also a language of particular importance in the world of music.
The standard repertoire of opera is dominated by operas sung in Italian because those who love opera find this language aesthetically pleasing In a similar way, even though it is possible to sing the official music of the Church (Gregorian chant and sacred polyphony) in English or some other language, it somehow just seems to sound best in the Italianinfluenced tones of Ecclesiastical Latin We should be grateful to God that He has blessed the Church with a language for sacred worship that is so uni ll l i t th ear
Therefore, because it can continue to unite the Church and Her liturgy, connect the modern Catholic faithful to the great history and learning of the Church back to its formation, and elevate prayer and song in beautiful aesthetic expression, we must strive to preserve use of Latin in the Catholic Church As Catholics we should heed the words of Cicero: “Non enim tam praeclarum est scire Latine quam turpe nescire ” (“For it is not as glorious to know Latin as it is shameful not to know it ”)
Exploring the Wonderful World of 3D Printing: An Interview with PVI’s Jack Ladowicz
by: Sian Chen ’27
Ever wonder about all those cleverly crafted 3D-printed figurines your teachers have on their desks and that so many students have been seen carrying around, playing with, and collecting? If you should ask any of those individuals fortunate enough to have been bestowed one of those distinctly different thingamajigs where they got it, they’re likely to say one name Jack. For this high school kid who’s crazy about tech, 3D printing isn’t just about cool toys to share with others – it’s a door to all kinds of possibilities.
Jack’s 3D printing story started with a special Christmas gift during his last year of middle school: his first 3D printer. Although the machine was slow and not super accurate, it planted a seed that grew into a big love for this tech. Not long after, he upgraded to a more complex model where the printing speed and quality got a huge boost.
“The printer I use now has an AMS auto-feed system and can do four colors at once,” Jack says, pumped up. “It prints at 600 millimeters per second, has auto-calibration, and is so easy to use it saves time and feels smooth.” For materials, most of the time, Jack sticks to Polylactic Acid (PLA), a popular, biodegradable, and easy-to-use thermoplastic filament derived from corn, sugarcane, and other renewable resources, and Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU), a flexible and durable filament known for its rubber-like elasticity and plastic-like durability.
PLA is the usual material he chooses: “fast to shape, tough, and simple to work with,” he says. “TPU is softer and bendy, even heatsensitive, so it’s perfect for toys or little stressrelief things, but it takes about 1.5 times longer than PLA.” continued
Myfavoritepartisseeing othersplaywithwhatI’ve createdandjustlightup, ” he says.“Thoserealsmilesmake itallworthit.
When talking about his passion for and ever-increasing knowledge of the art and science of 3D printing, sophomore Jack Ladowicz shares, “I want to use it to make some good changes in the world.” In fact, he’s planning to launch a website to reach more people, sell his creations, and donate some of the money to food banks and other charities.
From giant banana models to holiday gifts, Jack loves creating keepsakes that make him and others happy. Of course, it hasn’t all been easy. He admits designing and fixing printers can be a pain. “When I started learning CAD modeling, I was totally lost and had to figure it out from YouTube videos,” he says with a laugh. “And fixing the printer? That’s tough – sometimes I’d take it apart to find the problem and end up burning myself on the nozzle. It hurts and drives me nuts.”
But those tough moments made his skills stronger and kept him going. For the future, he thinks 3D printing will get faster and more precise, maybe even fix issues like tricky support structures. He also wants to mix it with electronics for new ideas. “Last summer, I built a computer from scratch — mechanics are just too cool.” From a Christmas gift printer to a journey of sparking life with joy and creativity, Jack shows how passion and hard work can make tech amazing.
That natural joy that he exudes isn’t just from being creative with his technical and mechanical skills – he is the epitome of the spirit and essence of PVI. Jack has an uncanny ability to foresee and immediately step up when someone needs assistance, is a great problem solver, and is considerate and kind to everyone. He never hesitates to lend a helping hand to teachers, staff, and peers. He loves to share his interests with others while learning about theirs. If he’s not scheduled as an altar server for Mass, you’ll see him greeting students and staff as he holds doors open. He assists various coaches at sports events and does whatever he can, wherever he is, to be of service to others.
Years from now, when we come upon some other amazing 3D-crafted piece of functional art, we’ll surely think of Jack and bet it’s another one of his cool creations.
A SLICE OF NOWHERE
by: Catherine Murphy '27
Have you ever been in the middle of nowhere? Like, with no real towns for miles around, seldom touched by the human footprint? Sadly, this isn’t as common as it once was, even as recently as a hundred years ago, and especially not in a relatively suburban area like Northern Virginia, even when you ’ re out in the Blue Ridge Being nowhere truly is a surreal experience that will make you feel again, absent of the hustle and bustle of traffic and people in general, with just you and empty wildlands as vast as the eye can see. The good news is that if you look, these sanctuaries still exist every so often as you traverse across the vast United States.
Now imagine being truly nowhere, with very little animals and sparse plant life, in addition to a considerable lack of water and presumably narrow food options as well. Throw in scorching heat, if you wish, well over 100° daily, since way before global warming It might sound like another planet, but this whole world is called Death Valley in Southern California, a mere three hours away from Los Angeles, which I had the privilege of taking in last summer
My personal favorite landmark found in Death Valley was easily the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, since it was the first time I saw actual desert sand I’m saying this since I’d been in deserts before, but those deserts were considerably more rock than sand The Mesquite Dunes honestly felt just like the beach if it was missing an ocean From afar, the dunes didn’t stretch out too far into the desert, but from the top of a dune they seemed to stretch for miles and miles, almost like the Sahara. The sand itself was hot to the touch, as I found out when I decided to write my name into the sand to mark that I was here, almost like touching a hot stove. Barefoot, walking across the Mesquite sand dunes in the summertime probably felt like treading on hot coals. I was hiking up one of the dunes and I suddenly felt like I was in one of those Bible/desert movies, where the character’s slogging up that last sandy hill shielding their eyes with their hands and viewing whatever major landmark’s coming into the view Too funny! continued
Our next stop was to the Furnace Creek Visitor Center, which might not sound too exciting, except for the fact that there’s a famous photo spot out front next to a giant thermometer that prominently displays whatever blazing temperature it is that day Trivia time: The hottest recorded temperature on earth in history was recorded here at Death Valley, back in 1913, at a nice and toasty 134° F.
At one point, while driving through the vast desert (there are literally no services for miles around at some points), we spotted someone with a brightly colored vest walking through the desert. We said a prayer for them, thinking their car had broken down and they were desperately trying to get help, until we saw a few more lone folks traversing the roadside through the desert, all wearing the same brightlycolored vest
After researching it, we discovered something we thought was insane: There is a challenge people embark on that involves hiking through remote Death Valley with no vehicle, though ample supplies are obviously a must, as people have been known to collapse and even die of heat stroke in the 115°+ heat. If that’s what makes them happy, I’m happy too, I guess…(DO NOT TRY THIS WITHOUT INTENSE PRIOR RESEARCH AND A PACKLOAD OF WATER, PEOPLE YOU WILL GET HEATSTROKE!) continued
Mesquite Sand Dunes in Death Valley National Park
A highlight of the trip was later on, when we headed to Badwater Basin, which holds the record for being North America’s lowest point, at approximately 282 feet below sea level Believe it or not, we actually found pools of natural water there, though we guessed they were probably boiling hot in this environment. According to the information placard found there, Badwater Basin supposedly got its name when the donkey of an early surveyor refused to tolerate the water found there, prompting the surveyor to label the basin as the Bad Water Basin to warn others. The water is very salty, though it is inhabited by small organisms such as pickleweed, in addition to some insects and the incredibly rare badwater snail, only found in the salt ponds in the basin. Aside from the water, there really is not much else here, aside from endless desert salt flats, the same salt as table salt Badwater Basin truly was one of the loneliest places I’ve been to, as not a lot dares to venture here due to the daily boiling heat, with not even humans venturing much farther than the parking lot at the Basin’s edge, a land of extreme heat, depth, dryness, and isolation. Far above me, though, were mountains summiting at over 11,000 feet above sea level, over two miles above me, looming almost unnervingly above this vast sanctuary of nothingness.
One of the most unusual landmarks in Death Valley (though nothing is usual here) is Zabriskie Point, full of unusually shaped hills and badlands. Back in the 1800s, Death Valley was actually a prominent zone for mining borax. In fact, the 20mule team image, synonymous with all things borax, comes from Death Valley, since huge wagons pulled by very large teams of mules were utilized to ship the borax to major markets The Pacific Coast Borax company was a major borax supplier, and Christian B. Zabriskie was the general manager and vice president of the company from the late 19th century until the 1930s, who later became the namesake of Zabriskie Point. As for Zabriskie Point itself, the badlands were shaped by Furnace Creek Lake, a giant lake that existed from roughly 9.5 million years ago. In time, various sediments from nearby volcanic regions began to accumulate within the lake; as mountains built up around the lake, the lake’s environment gradually began to dry up, and the lake started to disappear Tectonic uplift, combined with the valley sinking, however, caused the sediments to erode, leading to the formation of the badlands that are still there today
Zabriskie Point
Zabriskie Point might just be one of the coolest places on earth, and it should definitely be a mustsee if you ’ re ever planning to visit Death Valley
break the near complete silence, despite being very hot itself, almost like a hair dryer blowing in your face.
Despite the heat claiming several lives over the years (fly high), that heat has also possibly saved Death Valley from human interference and destruction out of fear, preserving its unique identity. However, the heat doesn’t protect Death Valley from feeling like a little sanctuary of nothingness (in a good way) in a world so dominated by hustle and bustle culture nowadays.
“It seems to me that the strangeness and wonder of existence are emphasized here, in the desert…with a generous gift of space for each herb and bush and tree…so that the living organism stands out bold and brave and vivid against the lifeless sand and barren rock.”
(Edward Abbey, Desert Solitaire).
All across Northern Virginia, cherry trees explode with their beautiful light pink blossoms The cherry blossoms in downtown Washington D C are a prime draw for tourists and anyone who wants to behold spring in all its glory Learning how to plant beautiful plants and trees like the cherry tree can bring a new element of joy into the season!
PickingtheRightPlant
HE SEASON ANTING
by: Avery Thom ‘27
Spring is here! Flowers are blooming, birds are chirping, and some much-needed sunny days are returning Everyone is looking for things to do outside to enjoy the lovely spring weather To me, gardening is one of the best things you can do outside. Whether just looking at flowers and plants or getting dirty in the soil, gardening is a way to be amidst nature and take in its beauty while also getting off the couch for some exercise One of the biggest barriers that stops people from starting a garden is the dilemma of what they should plant (and then how to take care of it!) If that is you, then check out the guide below on how to choose the right plants for your garden and a list of the best plants for Northern Virginia.
If you do not pick the right plant perfect for your garden’s conditions, it will not thrive no matter what! Before buying a plant, look at where you want to plant it and compare it to the directions on the label. If your garden is very shady, then do not pick a plant that likes full sun Taking the time to choose the right plant is the difference between success and failure. Getting to know your garden and what plants thrive in its conditions are important Remember, light patterns may change as trees fill out with green leaves Here is a list of plants that I have grown that commonly do well in Northern Virginia and like
Daffodils - like full sun, well-draining soil, plant in the fall or early spring, one of the first flowers that appears in the spring - daffodils pop up all over my neighborhood and are one of the flowers I look forward to seeing every spring
Echinacea (see photo) - also referred to as cone flowers, these plants like full sun, low maintenance watering after established, bloom in late summer and early fall Cone flowers are one of my most favorite flowers as they attract butterflies, bees, and other insects, and their blooms last for months.
Hosta - like partial to full shade and can do okay with morning sun but not full afternoon sun, well-drained soil There are many varieties of hostas and each one is unique Expect hostas to return every year and bestow their small, light-purple flowers
Phlox (see photo) - like full sun, well-drained soil. Phlox is a ground cover that gives small, pretty flowers that add lots of color to empty areas of your garden
Asters - like full to part sun, need less water after establishing Asters are a native plant that give off beautiful daisy-like flowers throughout the summer. They need more care as they are establishing, but are hardy once their roots get deep enough
Here is a list of other important tips to look out for!
#1: Timing - While the best time to start your soon-to-be gorgeous garden is between March and April, specific plants may do well being planted at other times, so look out for that when picking them
#2: Watering - Plants need to be sufficiently watered after they have first been planted. Knowing how wet or dry the plant prefers its soil is crucial to its success. Keep in mind that the soil will get drier faster in the summer months and that the plant may need to be watered more often
#3: Light - Most plants prefer one of three options regarding light: very shady, partly shady, or full sun Knowing where you want to plant it and matching it with what the plant likes will greatly increase your chances of success.
#4: Avoiding pests - Knowing the signs of pests and treating them if they show up is one of the things many early gardeners forget If the leaves suddenly change in any way, start turning brown, get weird patterns, or if there are lots of one type of insect all over it, then the plant most likely has some type of insect pest or disease When treating pests, try not to use chemicals that can harm the environment and treat it to the best of your ability.
#5: Soil - Virginia soil can be very hard and clay-like, so supplementing it with compost or fertilizer will help to loosen it up and become more nutrient-rich Choosing hardy plants that do not care as much about soil is also an option if your soil is not very healthy
If you enjoy gardening or want to try something new, join PVI’s Gardening Club! It meets about once a month to plant in the fall and spring in the area outside the Dining Commons. If you are interested, join the Google Classroom with the code lekf2to!
Patrick J. Rozmajzl, PhD
Welcome to Pass In Review
As many of you are likely aware, a Pass in Review is a (mostly) military form of inspection whereby a senior officer, official, or dignitary observes the assembled troops as they march past the review stand
At times, this and other forms of inspection are purely ceremonial a cursory formality done as a courtesy to the official, while at the same time recognizing the inestimable value and function of those who await the fleeting, evaluative gaze At other times, inspections can be brutally meticulous and painfully detailed demanding perfection and allowing for no deviation from the standard.
In either case, at its core is the wellfounded belief and understanding that there exist objective norms of what is good, right, required, and/or necessary. The process recognizes a whole that is larger than the individual while contemporaneously recognizing the contributions of the individual a whole that is to be celebrated, guarded, and defended. A whole that is worthy of the best we have to offer.
In my PASS IN REVIEW column, I hope to offer my thoughts and observations on what is good, right, required, and/or necessary To recognize that whole to be celebrated, guarded, and defended That whole that is worthy of our best.
PASS IN REVIEW:
Discipline IS the Grace
“Consequence.” What thoughts and/or emotions does this word engender in you? Do you find it to be a positive and inviting word? If so, you are likely enjoying a state of mind wherein you have some sort of goal toward which you are doing the work to advance. For many, though, the word elicits negative connotations – such as fear of discovery or accountability.
In fact, the word is rather neutral – meaning, simply, that which naturally follows. Consequences may actually be eminently enjoyable and/or desirable. At the same time, they might be found to be embarrassing and/or painful – and rightly so.
Whether pleasurable or painful, consequences – observed through the lens of an informed conscience – are always instructive. If one embraces the etymological approach, one discovers that instruction/teaching/learning/knowledge find their summation in the word, “discipline.” Consequences, both “good” and “bad,” either instruct or discipline our minds, hearts, and souls. Ultimately, they encourage obedience – “the virtue of submission to a higher power or authority.”
This is what God desires for us – this unmerited gift of grace. Indeed, as St. Paul writes in his Letter to the Hebrews 12:6, ”…for the Lord disciplines those whom he loves, and chastises every child whom he accepts.” Yes, His gift is to chastise – to punish for the purpose of correcting or reclaiming.
The grace of discipline must frequently involve suffering. Yet, insofar as suffering is instructive, it is not something to be avoided. St. Faustina (Diary, 342) wrote, “Suffering is the greatest treasure on earth; it purifies the soul. In suffering, we learn who is our true friend.”
“Suffering is a great grace; through suffering the soul becomes like the Savior; in suffering love becomes crystallized; the greater the suffering, the purer the love.” (Faustina 57).
PASSINREVIEW: DisciplineIStheGrace
Just as the grace of suffering is not something to be avoided, it is not something to be denied to those whom we are charged with instructing. Sometimes, allowing God to work through us means subordinating our will to His desire – to impart the grace of His discipline. Indeed, we are biblically called, as teachers, “filled with goodness” and “full of all knowledge…to admonish…” (Romans 15:14).
Enter the spirit of empathy. We do not (should not) enjoy the prospect of another’s suffering. And the empathetic individual must certainly be compassionate, right? Absolutely! So, the empathetic, compassionate individual should work to eliminate the suffering, right? Absolutely not!
To be compassionate means “to suffer with.” How can one be compassionate if one eliminates the suffering? If the discipline of consequence is diluted, where is the grace?
Discipline IS the grace. Learning is the gift. An over-emphasis on empathy derails the instructive grace of consequence. The call to compassion is much more difficult. To suffer with an individual as they suffer the consequence of their actions is exponentially more taxing.
Consider the ultimate act of empathy – the lesson of the Good Thief on Good Friday. As he suffered on Golgotha next to Jesus, the good thief was not spared the cross. Yet, Jesus was with him in his suffering and assured him of his value and, ultimately, of his salvation. God’s mercy doesn’t preserve us from temporal punishment.
PASSINREVIEW: DisciplineIStheGrace
The Catechism of the Catholic Church (1473) enjoins, “The forgiveness of sin and restoration of communion with God entail the remission of the eternal punishment of sin, but temporal punishment of sin remains While patiently bearing sufferings and trials of all kinds and, when the day comes, serenely facing death, the Christian must strive to accept this temporal punishment of sin as a grace He should strive by works of mercy and charity, as well as by prayer and the various practices of penance, to put off completely the “old man ” and to put on the “ new man. ”
How, then, can we be compassionate? How do we “suffer with” those who must endure the temporal consequence of their transgression?
We turn to the saints.
“When it is all over you will not regret having suffered; rather you will regret having suffered so little, and suffered that little so badly.”
(St. Sebastian Valfre)
“If God sends you many sufferings, it is a sign that He has great plans for you and certainly wants to make you a saint.” (St. Ignatius Loyola)
“Suffering is a great favor. Remember that everything soon comes to an end . . . and take courage. Think of how our gain is eternal.”
(St. Teresa of Avila)
“You will be consoled according to the greatness of your sorrow and affliction; the greater the suffering, the greater will be the reward.”
(St. Mary Magdalen de’Pazzi)
“We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope.”
(St. Paul in his Letter to the Romans 5:3-4)
International and National Writing & Creative Media Contests for High School Students
#1 BOW SEAT’S Ocean Awareness Writing/Creative Media Contest
If you feel deeply about global environmental challenges, then this is the space for you to reflect, express, and advocate.
Two Divisions:
Junior (11-14 years old)
Senior (15-18 years old)
Deadline: June 9, 2025
Prompt for 2025:
The theme, “Connections to Nature: Looking Inside, Going Outside,” invites students to reflect on their unique relationship with nature and how the natural world shapes their identity, emotions, and actions. Submissions can explore the history of the land, climate change activism, or deep personal experiences in nature.
Creative Media Options:
Creative Writing (poetry, personal essays, creative nonfiction), Visual Art, Film, Performance Art, and Multimedia
For more details, peruse the website: https://bowseat.org/programs/oce an-awareness-contest/contestoverview/
#3 The Virginia Writers Club’s Writing Contest
Categories: Fiction Nonfiction Poetry
Participants:
Only students attending high school (grades 9-12) in the state of Virginia are eligible to enter. Only original, unpublished work will be accepted. Submissions that have won first place in other writing contests or were written with the help of AI are not eligible.
Only one submission per category is allowed. If a teen is entering more than one category, they should submit each entry as separate emails.
Submission Due Date: June 30
Awards for each category:
First Place-$150 Second Place-$100 Third Place-$75
See the website for more details: https://virginiawritersclub.org/2025-Golden-Nib-Contest
#4 YoungArts’ National Arts Competition
Every year, YoungArts identifies exceptional young performing, visual, and literary artists ages 15-18 in 10 different disciplines: Writing, Voice, Photography, Theater, Design, Film, Dance, Jazz, Visual Arts, and Classic Music.
Cash awards range from $250 to $10,000. In addition, award winners with distinction get to attend the National YoungArts Week to collaborate with peers and develop their crafts with internationally recognized leaders in their fields. Award winners at all levels receive mentorship and financial awards; gain access to a lifetime of creative, professional development and funding opportunities; and become part of an uplifting, inter-generational community that helps artists connect, create, and collaborate.
Application opens on July 22; winners are announced on November 24 For more info, peruse their official website: https://youngarts.org/about/
#5 The John Locke Institute’s Essay Competition
This is one of the most prestigious 2,000-word essay competitions held annually. The competition covers a range of themes, including Philosophy, Politics, Economics, History, Psychology, Theology, and Law, so there is something for everyone! Think outside of the proverbial box, conduct in-depth research, and express your viewpoint through persuasive writing.
Qualifications:
Open to students worldwide. Participants must be 18 years old or younger as of June 30, 2025. Junior Prize participants must be 14 years old or younger on the same date.
Registration and Deadlines:
Registration Closes: May 31, 2025
Submission Deadline: June 30, 2025 at 11:59 p.m.
Essay Guidelines:
You can submit multiple essays across categories. Essays are judged on knowledge, originality, quality of argumentation, structure, and persuasive style.
Winners of each category and the junior prize receive a $2,000 scholarship for John Locke Institute programs and the publication of their essays on the institute’s website.
Winners are announced at an academic conference and awards dinner in September each year in London, England.
This is an exciting challenge to imagine and shape the future through creative storytelling.
Categories: written stories drawings paintings videos
Themes: climate change poverty the transformation of society
Age Brackets: 15 and under 16-18 years 19-21 years
Deadline for Submissions: June 30, 2025
Visit the official website: https://earth4all.life/creativechallenge/
Column: I’m Puzzled (and Thrilled to be!)
by: Tyler Sperow '28
A Virtual Scavenger Hunt!
If you think you’re pretty savvy with solving puzzles, put your skills to the challenge and (try to) make it through each level of our 1st Virtual Scavenger Hunt! Prizes awarded to the first three finishers!
Got questions? Stumped? Need help? Want a hint? Email me, join the Panther Puzzlers Google Classroom (Code: 3mxetor), or see me in the Dining Commons at the big table near the theatre every day after school until 4 p.m.!
Column: I’m Puzzled (and Thrilled to be!)
by: Tyler Sperow '28
Here is Clue #1
You must decode the numbers by using the lines and letters in the message below!)
Message: 2-3-5 3-12-1 3-2-3 4-1-5 3-7-5
I’ve learned of a secret, but you mustn’t tell anyone. There is a prize. A big prize for whoever can reach the end of this trail first. It isn’t a real trail. Oh no, it’s a trail of clues that you must follow, each one leading to the next. Find them all, and you win the prize, but there’s a catch. All of the other Panther Puzzlers’ members also know about this, and only three teams can win, so you must go quickly. And yes, I said team because you can have up to two other people with you, but the more people you have, the less prize you individually win. Are you up for the challenge? If so, I have a clue that can help you.
S P O R T S F E A T U R E b y : S i a n C h e n ' 2
S P O R T S F E A T U R E
Beginnings
Jordan’s basketball dream started on the street courts of Washington, D C As a child, he would often stand on the sidelines, “watching my dad play,” shared Jordan during a recent interview. “When I was three or four, he introduced me to basketball.” That early passion became the spark for his journey. He laughs and adds, “I’m better [at basketball] than him now.” But the father-son matchups still continue.
Growing up in D.C., Jordan was also heavily influenced by the city’s deep basketball culture. He looked up to local legends Antoine Walker and Keon Boyd from H.D. Woodson High School. “Their style represents our area,” he says. “That’s one of the reasons I want to be great at basketball ”
Jordan’s rise didn’t happen by chance –it came from relentless work. Known for his tough training routines, he describes his favorite drill: “I run from the corner to half-court and back before taking a three-pointer.” He explains, “It helps me get a real game feel and know what to do in a game situation.” For him, training isn’t just about hard work – it’s also fun Before games, he listens to music to relax and to get in the right mindset
S P O R T S F E A T U R E
At PVI...
Of course, the journey hasn’t always been easy “There were times I felt like quitting,” he admits But he always found a reason to keep going “Game's end Basketball is just a game What keeps me here is the relationships with people ” That pure love for the game helped him push through challenges. His advice for younger players at PVI is simple but meaningful: “Trust the process, don’t rush. Focus on the little things and enjoy the game.”
At PVI, Jordan not only honed his skills, but also built a resilient mindset As a freshman, he didn’t expect to shine so quickly “I didn’t even think I’d be this good,” he says But his coaches and teammates saw his potential and gave him the space to grow. “They let me make mistakes and learn from them,” he says. “And they helped me build strong friendships.”
That team bond was on full display in the WCAC championship game. Jordan scored 29 points, leading his team to victory. When the final buzzer sounded, he and his teammates embraced, celebrating the hard-fought win. This wasn’t just a personal achievement – it was proof that the team remained strong despite losing key senior players. “At the start of the season, people doubted us Winning the championship was our answer ”
S P O R T S F E A T U R E
Off the court...
Jordan’s family is his biggest support system. Even though they live far from PVI, his parents try to be at his most important games “Knowing I have my family’s support keeps me going,” he says. His father works at a recreational therapy center, helping people with special needs – a role that has had a big impact on Jordan and inspired him to volunteer at summer camps, spending time with kids who need extra support. That experience shaped his future goals. “I want to do something to help people with special needs,” he says. “It’s important to me because I grew up seeing my dad do it and also because my best friend is in a wheelchair. I know what that’s like.”
Jordan’s humble confidence on the court comes not just from big wins but also from small moments. One of his favorites was Senior Night, where he felt proud of his teammates Jae Kwon and Avalon for how much they had grown. “Seeing their progress was really great,” he says. “I always try to play my best – I don’t want to lose on Senior Night!”
Ten years from now, Jordan hopes to be remembered for more than just basketball “I want people to remember me as a humble, fun, and approachable guy,” he says. “I’m here to play basketball, but I want to leave more than that.” He dreams of becoming “one of the greatest players in PVI history” – just a kid from the streets who worked hard and made it.
S P O R T S F E A T U R E
Today...
Today, Jordan’s name is on the radar of top college programs, with Duke, Georgetown, and Syracuse all showing interest. He has a clear vision for his future team: a program that values defense, plays with energy, and pushes him to improve. “I perform my best when I’m challenged,” he says. “But I also want a coach who treats me like family.” He hopes to keep playing at a fast pace, “running up and down the court while having fun ” After the WCAC championship, the locker room was electric – water soaring, cheers booming, pure triumph in the air On the ride home, Jordan traced his path back to the start ‘This is what all the hard work was for,’ he thought, remembering the little kid watching pickup games in D C Now, he’s the one lighting up PVI’s court, a Panther proving that with grit and heart, any dream can take flight.
Uplifting, Inspiring, and Cool Christian Music: Lent to
Easter Edition
by: Hans Sirotniak ’24
Every day, no matter where we are, we have an opportunity to improve our relationship with God. There is still time left!
We want to go from saying the self-focused, “God, please do this for me so that I can be happy again” to instead saying the God-focused “Look what You did to me…You saved my life!”
The first phrase could mislead us to just thinking of the relationship with God as a transaction, which is not as meaningful as life-saving grace. The second phrase leads us beyond the point of being a stranger to God and puts us into something deeper, something more dependent and noteworthy.
Christian practices give us three categories: prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. These practices are emphasized during the time of Lent, but they are great ways to grow closer to God’s perfect character all year round.
To put them into action, we use the verb forms: pray, fast, and give alms.
To pray comes down to taking five specific actions: adore, petition, intercede, thank, and praise.
To fast comes down to making more room for the awareness of God by denying ourselves of food and drink.
To give alms is broken down into using time, treasures, and talents to honor God.
Don’t forget about repentance!
Here are some songs that go along with these categories. (*These songs are copyrighted by their respective owners attempt to mention songs in accordance with fair use guidelines for commentary and educational purposes. I a not affiliated with any of the artists mentioned.*) All son featured this month can be easily found on YouTube.
Hans Sirotniak '24
The 2023-2024 senior editor, communications specialist, and writer with Crossroads, Hans graduated from Paul VI last May and now attends William & Mary. You might find him visiting the Paul VI school chapel or attending community events during his semester breaks!
Ethan C. Davis adores God through worship by proclaiming his trusting and personal love for God.
“I Need Help”
“What You Paid For”
Connor Price opens up the emergency line and petitions God for some severe help.
Dan + Shay intercedes for a soon to-be-born child, praying that God blesses the child and gives the child the grace to have a strong prayer life.
“Thank You Jesus”
“When I Pray For You”
Josh Baldwin gives thanks to Jesus for finding him as a lost child and turning Him back to God’s goodness.
Jordan Feliz praises God for being such a wonderful Savior, giving salvation, and giving a true hope for a life of freedom.
Gable Price & Friends repent, telling God that they are sorry for abandoning His ways, and they commit to a new life of forgiveness because no other way will do.
Tauren Wells makes room for the presence of God. When we fast, we put the goodness in food aside to focus on the awareness of something even better: God’s presence.
Derek Minor & Urban Rescue acknowledge the giving of time and treasures in order to connect with others by showing kindness and humility.
“Walls” “Abandoned”
Benjamin William Hastings abandons time and treasures that are not used for God. He sells himself out and collapses in devotion to the will of God.
Matthew West gives talents of singing to serve God’s people through making songs that sing about Jesus for the whole radio audience to hear.
“Serve the Lord”
Strive to Be & Kenedi Anderson give talents by dedicating their voices and work of their lives to service of God on the difficult path until God calls them home.
“Love On The Radio” “Wait” “Praise the Giver”
I know you are very familiar with the music of Matt Maher, the Catholic Christian singer and songwriter who is the original writer and performer of the goosebump-inflicting song “Lord, I Need You” that you often sing at PVI’s schoolwide Masses. Now, 12 years later, his newest songs, “Wait” and “Praise the Giver,” create that same feeling of praise and commitment to a life focused on God. Maher’s songs inspire us to carry on with steadfast devotion and honor to LIVE Jesus in everything we do.
4-Day Summer Writing Workshops at PVI!
Get a Job, Secure an Internship Workshop
Whether you ' re thinking about working part-time or you'd like to secure an internship in your current field of interest, you need an Applicant Tracking System (ATS)-friendly resume and a well-written cover letter to get noticed. While referrals are awesome to develop, having a polished resume and customized cover letter give you the freedom to reach out to whatever company that interests you. Students will complete this workshop with a professional resume, an individualized cover letter, and hours of mock interviewing practice
Choose from one of two 4-day workshops designed to help you learn how to write engaging, informative search engine optimization (SEO) keyword-rich blogs for websites in various industries. Whether it's for your own family's company website, one of your favorite online platforms, or you ' re thinking about launching a space online of your own, great content is essential to bring new visitors to the site and keep them coming back Students who complete this workshop will have the opportunity to have their blog(s) published online if desired.
Questions about these workshops may be addressed to Dr. Opfer, our principal, at topfer@paulvi.net.
Writing Feature Articles Workshop
This 4-day workshop is designed to help students build their writing portfolio Hone your research and writing skills in crafting an informative and inspiring full-length feature article on a person, place, or thing that interests you Students who complete this workshop will have the opportunity to have their article published online if desired
$250. ** Four Days! ** Limited to 10 students! Session 3: Monday – Thursday, July 14 – 17, 8:45 – 10:45 a.m. or Session 6: Monday –Thursday, July 21 – 24, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Classroom Writing Workshop
This 4-day workshop is designed for rising 10th and 11th grade students to help review and refine writing skills Time will be spent on the process of organizing thoughts into an outline, writing a thesis statement, using evidence to support the thesis, and writing a strong conclusion paragraph for your essay. The editing and revision process, as well as current MLA standards, will be reviewed.
One of my dad’s biggest passions is golfing. If he could, he would golf every single day. But because this is not possible he wanted to raise me and my sister on the golf course. It all started when I was about seven years old, hitting on the driving range and taking lessons with my sister. My sister and I would play local tournaments and I really enjoyed being out on the golf course. What I did not realize was how insanely competitive it would get as I got older.
Although the competition is hard, friends I made along the way make tournaments very enjoyable. I have grown up with the same friends from golf since I was very young. I love the social aspect of tournaments and getting to hang out with my friends after my round. During summer tournaments, we often all get dinner together or have sleepovers. Not only do we hang out during tournaments but also outside of golf. The best feeling is getting paired with friends for tournaments. Even though they are sometimes my competition, I love them like sisters and growing up with them is a joy.
While I do love the feeling of successful tournaments and placing high on the leaderboard, I unfortunately cannot be successful every time. I have missed many cuts and had multiple high scores. These bad days are often upsetting and make me feel defeated. But I know that God gives me these hard times to become even more successful, and it makes me work harder. Despite the difficult competition, my passion for golf is what drives me to want to succeed.
The National Cherry Blossom Festival is an annual spring celebration in Washington, D.C., commemorating the March 27, 1912 gift of Japanese cherry trees from Mayor Yukio Ozaki of Tokyo City to the city of Washington, D.C. Ozaki bestowed the beautiful trees to the United States to continue to enhance and celebrate the continued close relationship between the two nations.
2025 Kite Competition in D.C.
Sian Chen '27
The Basilica is a Catholic minor basilica and national shrine in Washington D.C. It is the largest Catholic church building in North America and is also the tallest habitable building in Washington, D.C. Its construction of Byzantine and Romanesque Revival architecture began in the fall of 1920. It serves as the patronal church of the Catholic Church in the United States.
Sian Chen '27
Avery Thom '27
Roy Wulf '26
Moderator: Ms. Vicque Fassinger
Get it in writing.
Join The Writer’s Block Club: Contribute your nonfiction pieces to Crossroads; contribute your fiction, nonfiction, plays, artwork, photographs, and poetry to For Art’s Sake (previously known as Tales & Verses) club code: ohuqdfw
