Rebel Review 2/19

REBEL REVIEW Volume 18:3

February 14, 2019

Roncalli High School

Welcoming growth

(r to l) Lizzy LewisMcDonald, Chelsea Garcia-Andalon, Taly Amezcua, and Maggie Peats study and revise notes for their ethnic studies class.

This is the first year that Roncalli has offered the course which covers racial identities that make up America.

This issue features several articles covering recent efforts on the part of Roncalli’s administration to help the student body, faculty, and staff gain understanding and acceptance as the student population grows in diversity.

Branching out

Valentine’s Day Blues

Snowball Spectacular

As Black History Month continues, staff members reflect on how much the Roncalli community has grown and where there is still room for improvement. For insight on the issue, check out pages 4 and 5.

A Rebel Review staff member shares a satirical piece on the celebration of Valentine’s Day festivities. Read this story written by Austin Hendricks to see what he thinks about going above and beyond on the day of love on page 6.

Before the winter months come to a close, Roncalli is ready for its first ever Snowball Dance. For more information about time, date, and place of the extravaganza, check out staffer Nick Perkins’ story on page 3.

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news features

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2.14.19

Let the Smash Bros. battle begin Smash Bros. gamers throughout Roncalli enjoy the newest installment in the video game series

BY JOSH WORMANN Staff Writer

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fter the holidays, gamers throughout Roncalli are usually hooked on a new video game that they received as a Christmas gift and played nonstop over break. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, which was released on December 7, 2018, is one of the most popular cases of this in recent years.

All 63 of the playable characters from previous versions of the crossover fighting game return for Smash Ultimate, the newest installment of the Super Smash Bros series.

Eleven new characters join the battle and more new DLC (downloadable content) characters remain unreleased. The lineup includes characters from many famous video games, ranging from well-known Nintendo regulars such as Mario, Link, and Donkey Kong to lesser known heroes like Simon

and Richter Belmont from the Castlevania series.

Most Smash Bros gamers will choose to play as a “main,” or the primary character one uses and plays best as, and rotate between other fighters they have fun using.

Each character has their own strengths or weaknesses, which contributes to players’ character choices. Freshman Dominic LaRouche’s main character for Smash Ultimate is Pikachu, the Pokémon series’ mascot.

“I use Pikachu because I love his speed and combo game,” LaRouche said. “I use Fox and Bowser occasionally when I play for fun.”

Junior Harrison Sisk likes to play with more powerful characters in Smash Ultimate such as King K. Rool, the main antagonist from the Donkey Kong series.

“He’s really funny to play as and I like his play style,” Sisk said. “His neutral special, the cannon, is a very powerful and stylish projectile and sets up for easy kills.”

Sisk, like many other gamers, cites Smash Bros’ variation in game mechanics from other fighting games as the reason he likes the game so much.

“Smash is enjoyable to me because it’s a very different style of fighting game,” Sisk said. “I enjoy it more than games like Mortal Kombat or Street Fighter because in those games it is almost impossible to make a comeback if you are down in health.”

The ability to make a comeback in Smash Bros is one of the most entertaining aspects of the game, especially in competitive battles. While many Smash Bros gamers classify themselves as “casual players,” others like to play in organized competition. LaRouche, for example is ranked in the top ten Super Smash Bros Wii U players under 18 in the midwest region. Senior Gabe Buening has organized tournaments among more competitive Smash Bros gamers within the Roncalli community.

“I host tournaments at my house sometimes,” Buening said. “Most of the players are from the cross country team or swimming team. Jack Bauer (R’18) got the boys’ swimming team into Smash Bros. Melee over the last couple seasons.”

In last year’s Smash Bros. tournament at Roncalli, about 30 participants competed with a decent number of spectators coming to view the games as well. This year, Buening and other Smash Bros gamers are planning to have a more neatly organized tournament.

“It’s a free event, and you don’t need to know how to play to have fun,” Buening said. “The tournament will be more fun if we can get more people this year.”

SCREENSHOT BY JOSH WORMANN

SUPERSTAR FIGHTERS RETURN: Four of the most popular characters in the Smash series face off in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, including Mario from the Super Mario series, Link from the Legend of Zelda series, Pikachu from the Pokémon series, and Kirby from the Kirby series.

There is no dodging RHS spirit Roncalli finishes another successful spirit week and dodgeball tournament despite cold weather

BY CONNOR MAHONEY Staff Writer

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pirit week dress-out days began on friends and classmates cheering me and our January 28 with Catholic schools day team on,” sophomore Keigan Miller said. on Monday. Then, career day, down on Playing for the dodgeball championship the farm, generations, and red, white, and were the juniors and the Purple Cobras. The blue day. However, due to a windchill below two played a best of three.

-10, down on the farm was canceled due to a “The dodgeball tournament was school closing. Student council implemented exhilarating and tons of fun. The ‘oohs’ a new competition with each class creating a and ‘ahs’ when people go down or dodge a “lip dub” video. ball swiftly are the best part,” junior Emma With the weather in mind, the dodgeball McAllen said. invitational was postponed to February 6 at The Purple Cobras came out to a fast 7:30 p.m. start and took game one. However, the “This year, over 100 students signed up to juniors rallied back and won two in a be on their class team ballot,” student council row. As a result the juniors were crowned moderator Mr. Ryan Costello said. champions of the dodgeball tournament.

As dodgeball began at 7:30 Wednesday “It was crazy fun to relish in the moment night, the class competition for spirit week when we could look back on all of our was tight. dodging, ducking, dipping, diving, and When asked about dodgeball in relation dropping, and see how it really paid off,” to spirit week, Roncalli chaplain Fr. Dave McAllen said.

PHOTO BY NICK PERKINS Marcotte said,“It is something unique to This means that spirit week is complete.

LET IT FLY: Biology teacher Miss Kaitlin Hinesley slings a dodge ball at the other team. She was part of the this time of year, and it’s one of the few At the end of it all, the seniors won the Purple Cobras team, who finished second in the tournament. opportunities that students and staff have to overall class competition. The juniors other in the losers bracket final. A hard-fought game was compete against each other.” followed by a close second, then the sophomores with the played, and the sophomores came out victorious.

After two rounds for all the teams, we were left with the freshmen bringing up the rear.

“My favorite part of the tournament was seeing all my sophomores and Divide and Conquer playing against each

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2.14.19

news

Faculty’s unique claims to fame Teachers recount some of their closest experiences with famous people

BY JOSEPH WOODRUFF Staff Writer Mr. Don Elbreg - Industrial Technology “I was once on Wheel of Fortune and made it to the bonus round. My wife forwarded me the link to sign up, and I filled out this questionnaire. I totally forgot about my submission and thought that I did not make it. However, almost a year later, I was out in Los Angeles with Pat Sajak and Vanna White. Both of them were very friendly and down to earth. The whole experience was great, and my wife and I had a lot of fun on set. I was surprised with how small the studio was compared to how it looks on TV.” Mrs. Erin Bohn - Social Studies “Mr. Anderson, Ms. Buckley, Mr. Newton and I went to see Hamilton on Broadway and got to go backstage afterward to meet some of the original cast. We were there as guests of Rory O’Malley who played King George, and we met Christopher Jackson, Renee Elise Goldsberry, and Anthony Ramos, along with others. While we were backstage, we noticed that there were several celebrities there, too, including Sandra Oh, Jenna Dewan Tatum, and Channing Tatum. We also saw Jeff Probst sitting in the row ahead of us.”

Ms. Denise Joseph - Foreign Language “A few years ago, I visited Cannes, France, where the Film Festival takes place annually. In front of the hotel, I saw Patrick Stewart, the bald guy from Star Trek The Next Generation and The Emoji Movie! I approached him to say hello, and was so star struck I called him Luke Picard, which is his character in Star Trek. He smiled and said, ‘That’s me too!’ He signed my guide book, and I left embarrassed.”

Mr. Gerard Striby - Religion “In 2002, I had the honor of carrying the lit Winter Olympic Torch for three blocks on the Northside of Indianapolis. I was nominated by my family to carry the torch. Those who carried the torch through the city were recognized as having had an impact on others. I met many fellow torch bearers who, while not household names, had extremely inspiring stories through the way they lived their lives.”

PHOTO SUBMITTED

BEHIND THE SCENES: Roncalli faculty pose for a picture with actor Christopher Jackson, who played the role of George Washington in Hamilton. (left to right: Mr. Newton, Ms. Buckley, Mr. Anderson, Christopher Jackson, Mrs. Bohn, Mrs. Perkins)

Mr. Scott Marsh - Physical Education “I grew up in the same hometown as Billy Ray Cyrus and his wife, Leticia (Miley’s mom and dad). I’ve know them for a long time and my cousin is best friends with Miley’s mom. When I was little, Miley’s mom would babysit me on occasion. Also, American criminal and cult leader Charles Manson is from my hometown of Ashland, KY. His half-brother, Tom Scott, was the head football coach at our arch-rival school.”

Read the full story on our website, roncallimedia.com

Snowball spectacular

Last year’s Sadie Hawkins dance transforms to a winter-themed dance to raise more funds for mission trip

BY NICK PERKINS Co-Editor-in-Chief

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tarting last year, Roncalli instituted a third major dance to the dance line-up, taking place in the winter months between homecoming and prom. Originally planned as a freshman/sophomore exclusive as an almost counter to the junior/senior only prom, the event is now open to everyone and even allows for students from other schools if approved.

While last year’s dance was a “Sadie Hawkins,” where girls asked guys to the event instead of vice versa, this year students don’t need to feel pressure to ask someone or to spend lots of money on a new outfit.

“The snowball was put in place to take pressure off people from finding dates and create a more comfortable environment where people can have a good time, while also supporting Roncalli mission trips,” dance coordinator and biology teacher Mr. Tim Crissman said.

So “Sadie’s” being morphed into a more general winter dance is an intentional move

When: February 23, 2019

meant to get more people to go by taking the pressure off, which does nothing but good considering all proceeds go to fund the annual Appalachian trip. By allowing for more people to come, the trips should see nothing but a net gain in revenue. The only downside to this, however, is the unique Hawkins dance “I mean I thought it would be cool to get to ask someone to the dance, but I don’t mind getting asked,” junior Annie Wentzel said.

The “Snowball” as it is being called is not meant to be like a literal ball and clothes worn to it do not need to be extravagant or expensive.

“We don’t want you to buy anything new. Recycling what you wore at homecoming would be fine. This is a dance with proceeds going to charity so we don’t want people spending a lot.”

The dance will have Junior Briggs McGill as the official DJ. Doors open at 7:30, so expect an exciting night.

SNOWBALL D A N C E

Where: Gym (dance floor) and Cafe (Place for water and personal items) Meet: Arrive at circle, use main entrance 7:30-10:30 (Must be onsite by 8:00)

Dress: Casual clothing or recycled semi-formal (homecoming) clothing $10 raffle for out-of-uniform day “Open to any and all students. Guests are welcomed, but must be approved by Dean”

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WELCOMING GROWTH

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Fostering stronger bonds

2.14.19

Student body diversity grows, Roncalli responds with programs focused on inclusivity

BY ELIZABETH BRADLEY Co-Editor-in-Chief

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he largely homogeneous nature of Roncalli’s history is no secret, and the southside of Indianapolis has perhaps infamously remained lacking in racial diversity for decades.

However, Roncalli’s population is growing in a profound, albeit small, manner as the minority enrollment has increased from just three percent (which it hovered around from 2000 to 2012) to almost 14 percent today.

With this growth in diversity comes a necessary growth in mindset. Having such a predominantly Caucasian staff and student body for so long results in an unfamiliarity that can easily foster varying forms of discrimination whether conscious or not. “[Students] have been around white Catholics on the southside for their whole lives,” senior Elijah Mahan said. “Then they hear rap music and think that they can say and do certain things.”

This is not to say that all members of the Roncalli community are intentionally and consciously prejudiced, simply that like every other person in the world, members of the community hold an implicit bias in some form, partly due to their lack of exposure to people of other ethnicities.

Implicit bias can be formed as early as three years old, and implicit bias is not a conscious form of discrimination or hatred; this form of prejudice is completely involuntary, but bias and discrimination are detrimental to a community no matter the state of intentionality involved. This is why simply learning to recognize and make a conscious effort against implicit bias is important. So important, in fact, that the Roncalli staff underwent an implicit bias workshop before the 2018-19 school year.

“This program was designed to help us be intentionally cognizant of our biases and how they might play out in how we treat each other, how we do our work, and how we respond to the world,” principal Mr. Chuck Weisenbach said.

The Peace Learning Center, a local organization, provided a workshop for all of the staff at the beginning of this school year, and about 20 staff members and counting have attended an “Undoing Racism” two-day workshop put on by a national organization called the People’s Institute.

Equally as important as promoting acceptance among teachers

is doing so among students. For the first time, Roncalli is offering an ethnic studies course taught by Mrs. Beth Reel.

“My hope is that students will be able to view social interactions through a lens of empathy and understanding,” Reel said.

“It’s hard to relate to each other when we haven’t had shared experiences; our study of diverse groups will help us be tolerant and respectful of all people.”

Reel volunteered to teach the course, saying WE CARE: that she “is excited to facilitate the dialogue that Senior Elijah accompanies learning about our diverse sociMahan, junior Angie ety,” and Reel isn’t the only one excited about Snow, and seniors Sarah this new course. Many students like senior Hayden, Chelsea Nguyen, and Nellie Nnatubuego along with several Jenna Shearer see the value that ethnic studother students are part of Roncalli’s We CARE ies can hold for them in life beyond Roncalli’s initiative. This group began with the goal halls. of making Roncalli a more welcoming and “It is important to take this class because comfortable environment for students of minority background. the real world is so much more diverse than Roncalli,” Shearer said. “And we need to know how to navigate the world in a respectful way.”

Dialogue has also begun to form between several students of minority backgrounds and RHS staff through the We CARE program. Assistant principal for student life Mr. Kevin Banich has been meeting with these students once a month this school year to facilitate discussion on what the school can be doing to create a more inclusive environment and to allow minority students to share their experiences.

“What I’m most proud of is that we right now have some great dialogue happening between our students and our school,” Banich said. “I would like for students to know how much we appreciate their openness with us.”

Even more than being grateful for students’ willingness to work with the staff and highlight prominent areas in need of improvement, staff members expressed hopes that Roncalli’s demographic expansion continues.

“We would be silly not to want to be as richly diverse as possible," Weisenbach said. "Because that’s the makeup of God's family.”

From RHS to success

Discover the success stories of Roncalli alums and what the experience meant to each of them

BY SAM EILAND Staff Writer

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exi Elsener was able to achieve many great things during her four years at Roncalli. Before graduating in 2013, she was a three-year member of Rebel Rhapsody, ran cross country for two years, involved in numerous theater productions, and was still able to be inducted into the Roncalli chapter of the National Honor Society She did all of this while still feeling the unique spirit of the RHS community.

“You could not only feel the excitement during pep rallies, but could also see the sense of pride adorned on Roncalli’s walls,” Elsener said. “I admit, I currently can’t help but feel a twinge of nostalgia walking into Roncalli to find the ever-lively display of spirit.”

Elsener was able to take her time as a Rebel and make it into something much more than just an experience. She is currently working

towards her doctoral degree in mental health and plans to work as a psychologist. Her hope is to work with people who have been impacted by traumatic experiences. Elsener learned the importance of making others’ lives a priority and not just her own.

She feels as though Roncalli did a good job of preparing her for this line of work. The education that Elsener has received is something she has come to appreciate after leaving.

“I do believe that Roncalli prepared me well for college,” Elsener said. “The high standard of expectational work demanded by my teachers enabled me to develop an achieving mentality.”

However, her experience as a racial minority in a predominantly white school was a driving factor in her push to help those in difficult situations. Elsener saw times of difficulty

D Cole Toner R'12 San Diego Chargers #64

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uring his time at Roncalli, Cole Toner had been quite the active student. Competing as an athlete on both the football field and basketball court for all four years of high school. But sports are not the only things that Toner was able to excel at, having taken numerous AP courses.

Toner was a well-liked Rebel who had no problem finding a friend in the hallways of RHS. “Roncalli is also a vibrant, spirited, competitive, and truly unique school,” Toner said. “I had a ton of fun learning, interacting with teachers and administrators, representing my school at athletic events, and developing lifelong friendships.”

Toner has had nothing shy of remarkable suc-

herself while at Roncalli and these experiences have given her a motivation behind her work.

“I often felt alone in my challenges as many of my peers could not relate,” Elsener said, “and I did not have one educator of color to turn to.”

Since her time at Roncalli, Elsener has seen the community grow and make strides to make minority students feel more at home.

“It is still a problem, but [student] awareness is wonderful and what brings about change,” Elsener said.

Elsener’s story doesn’t end here, and the Rebel family knows that she will go on to do big things. With the determination and focus that she had honed over the years, she has nothing short of success in her sights.

cess since leaving Roncalli High School in 2012.

He went on to get a degree from Harvard where he played football. Since then, he has continued his playing career at the professional level.

“I was drafted to the Arizona Cardinals in 2016 after graduating from Harvard. I spent a year and a half there.” Toner said. “After training camp in 2017 I signed to Cincinnati for four weeks; then went to New England for a week, got hurt, and signed to the LA Chargers in November of 2017. I have been in LA since then.”

Toner will be the first to tell how much he enjoyed his time at Roncalli but what he will also tell you is how well prepared he was for life after high school.

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Lexi Elsener R'13 Doctoral Student

“Tough classes prepared me for the rigors of college courses. And I was conditioned to have the mental toughness to give my best effort in the classroom, at practice, in the weight room, and in all facets of life.” Toner said. “I think that combination prepared me as well as anyone for college and beyond.”

Toner is a perfect example of what can be achieved by a person who takes advantage of their opportunities. He has accomplished all of these great things because of the drive he was taught as a child and the focus he developed in school.

Read more alumni success stories on our website, roncallimedia.com. max

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2.14.19

WELCOMING GROWTH

Rebels branch out

Roncalli’s Pro Life Club attends annual March for Life in Washington, D.C.

BY KARA HOUSE Co-Editor-in-Chief

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LOUD AND PROUD: Junior Gretchen Guerrettaz faces her fears by belting out a rendition of "Hallelujah" in front of a crowd at the March for Life in Washington D.C. Guerrettaz reported that she normally has stage fright, but the crowd was so inviting that she felt comfortable in the spotlight.

exas, 1973. A woman by the name of Jane Roe has taken her home state to the Supreme Court in a battle that would determine whether or not a women everywhere could exercise a right unwritten in the Constitution- abortion.

Although Roe found favor with the court, winning 7 to 2, the decision to let women freely have an abortion did not come without backlash. A woman by the name of Nellie Gray was determined to reverse the court decision through peaceful protest by organizing the first March for Life in Washington D.C. on January 22, 1974. The protest even made its way to Indianapolis, but Roncalli’s Pro Life Club has journeyed to D.C. where the roots of the march began.

“We’re really excited to bring a group to the march, and it’s always a wonderful experience,” pro life coordinator and religious studies teacher Miss Caroline Reuter said. “I hope they are changed and renewed and bring the zeal back to Roncalli.”

Senior Camille Woods, who has attended the march with the Pro Life Club, agrees with Reuter that March for Life is a once in a lifetime opportunity.

“I was able to come together with thousands of people for one specific cause,” Woods said. “To see everyone

laugh and smile in one place to support the same effort was inspiring.”

A large majority of the population that attends the March for Life is made up of teens just like Woods. With younger generations showing an interest in the pro-life effort, the protest has gained even more support.

“Because so many people at the march are young people, they are still invigorated,” Reuter said. “Each new group of young people are attending, so they have more vigor.”

Even though the trip was planned well in advance, an unfortunate series of events made for an interesting time for Roncalli students, including all of the lunches being forgotten and scrambling to find somewhere to eat. For junior Gretchen Guerrettaz, the most spontaneous decision of the trip occurred when she sang “Hallelujah” in front of hundreds to the strum of a stanger’s guitar.

“There was a man on the sidewalk with a guitar and amp and there were nuns and priests going up to sing, and the crowd was singing along. I've always had a huge fear of singing in front of people, but when the man asked for volunteers, Sophia Dietz started jumping up and down yelling, ‘She can sing!’,” Guerrettaz said.

Despite her stage fright, Guerrettaz decided to step out of her comfort zone and take her voice to the stage. The crowd reacted positively to the performance, clapping and singing along to the chorus.

“I got up there shaking and nervously laughing and started singing Hallelujah, the Rufus Wainwright cover. Afterwards, a priest came up to me and said, ‘God is calling you to music. Go sing at Mass

and get your voice heard. The Holy Spirit is guiding you’,” Guerrettaz said. “I owe Sophia for pushing me to get in front of people like that and to seek discomfort.”

Guerrettaz reported that the experience of March for Life was one for the record books, and she echoes both Woods and Reuter that other students should jump at the opportunity to attend.

“Being able to have a voice for those who don't have one is so important, and taking up that responsibility as a Pro-life Catholic,” Guerrettaz said. “The march has by far been a highlighting experience in my high school career, and I would highly recommend anyone and everyone to stand up for babies and go to the march.”

Although the march has already taken place, there are still plenty of opportunities for students to help out at home.

So how can students still aid the effort besides attending a march?

“The big thing is prayer, which is the number one,” Reuter said. “Also, [students can] look at the pro life community and find locally where [there are] women in need.”

Here in Indianapolis, students can volunteer at St. Elizabeth Coleman, where Linus Club blankets are sent, or at the Women’s Care Center. Making a change does not require a large investment, but a few small steps will advance the mission tremendously.

“Going on the march really puts into perspective how precious life is and how easily it can be taken away,” Guerrettaz said. “It is a miracle in itself that we are here today. We don't have the right to take that away from someone else, no matter how developed or underdeveloped we are.”

Roots of the past

In honor of Black History Month, explore significant events on this day in history

BY LOGAN WONG Staff Writer

1760

Richard Allen was born as a slave in Germantown, Pennsylvania. In 1777, Allen bought freedom for him and his brother. He began to preach at St. George's United Methodist Church in 1786. He and Absalom Jones led the Black members out of the church due to the church's segregationist policies in 1787 to form the Free African Society, a non-denominational mutual aid society.

1818

Frederick Douglass, abolitionist, women's suffragist, editor, author and statesman, was born a slave in Tuckahoe, Maryland. Douglass taught himself to read and write and escaped from slavery in 1838.

He delivered his first abolitionist speech at the 1841 Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society's annual convention.

1861

William McBryar was born in Elizabethtown, North Carolina. McBryar joined the United States Army as a Buffalo Soldier and was serving as a sergeant in Company K of the 10th Cavalry Regiment during the Indian Wars. He was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his actions.

1936

The first inaugural meeting of the National Negro Congress gathered at Eighth Regiment Armory in Chicago, Illinois. The purpose was to push the government for civil and labor rights. Over 800 people, representing 500 organizations attended.

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1937

Samuel Gene "Magic Sam" Maghett, hall of fame blues guitarist, was born in Grenada, Mississippi. Maghett moved to Chicago, Illinois at 19 and began recording for Cobra Records. His albums "West Side Soul" (1967) and "Black Magic" (1968) were inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame as classics of blues recordings in 1984 and 1990.

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opinion

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Beginning change

Roncalli Media Staff Elizabeth Bradley Kara House Nick Perkins

Co-Editor-in-Chief Co-Editor-in-Chief Co-Editor-in-Chief

Julie Albertson

Adviser

2.14.19

Rebel Review staff takes closer look at diversity and bias in Roncalli STAFF EDITORIAL

Staff Writers Maddie Aldrich Liam Moore Ryan Brandenburg Max Peeples Max Cross Andrew Reed Sam Eiland Logan Wong Austin Hendricks Joseph Woodruff Abby Leister Joshua Wormann Connor Mahoney

2018-19 Editorial Policy We accept submissions from all faculty, staff and students, which can be emailed to jalbertson@roncalli.org or delivered to Room 109. Please keep these letters short, roughly 200-300 words. They will be accepted under the circumstances that they are signed and noted to which article it is in response. Letters that contain misinformation or are meant to libel another will not be published. The decision to publish any content will be decided by the editorial board. We also accept photographs and articles written by students, teachers and staff members.

In recent years, Roncalli has seen a prominent positive shift in its demographic as more minority students enroll. However, this influx of diversity shed light on one of Roncalli’s largest communal issues: sensitivity and acceptance. It’s easy to say that Roncalli is already a community of welcoming and loving acceptance, but the simple truth is that we still have work to do.

Diversity is something that often goes under the radar. Fortunately, Roncalli is now making attempts to the correct errors and insensitivities of the past. According to principal Mr. Chuck Weisenbach, the staff has all been challenged to attend cultural events, and teachers attended an implicit bias workshop. More than 20 faculty and staff have also attended the People’s Institute “Undoing Racism” two-day workshop.

Another way to bring attention to the noticeable issue of racial prejudice in our school is the We CARE (Cultural Awareness and Racial Education) group that seeks to understand the real nature of

discrimination faced and how Roncalli can make the Rebel experience better for our student minorities.

An additional attempt to become more understanding takes the form of Roncalli’s newest course, Ethnic Studies. Ethnic Studies is an important addition to our curriculum, as our student body needs to be better informed and better equipped

of people, and it is a learned trait that develops at a very young age.

This bias is dangerous because many people are unable to recognize that they have it, resulting in unintentional discrimination that can be detrimental to fragile social conditions. Bias, implicit or not, is not difficult to come by in Roncalli’s largely Caucasian community.

Recognizing and taking concrete strides to be aware of and correct implicit bias can make all the difference in either an accepting community or a discriminatory one. Roncalli has already begun the process of making these changes, but clearly has many more miles to to deal with a more diverse world go before we’ve reached our goal of outside. Obviously, not every person equality. who fails to understand or acknowlAfter all, it starts here- in discusedge Roncalli’s lack of adequate sion and dialogue. Until the comdiversity is a racist, but there is munity and student body recognize something to be said about bias. and accept that there is a problem, Implicit bias is a very real problem there is little that can be done to fix that everyone has in one form or it. As a community, we are not yet another. as accepting and welcoming as we Implicit bias is an unintentionhave the potential to be. al bias against any demographic

“After all, it starts here- in discussion and dialogue.”

A single man’s Valentine’s Day Enjoy a satirical understanding of Valentine’s Day from the fabricated point of view of a loner on this “special” day

BY AUSTIN HENDRICKS Staff Writer

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ebruary 14th. For some reason, this day is held in such high regard to the saps of the world. Sure, there is something to be said about happiness, but the deliberate spending of large sums of money on material goods for the enjoyment of another human being that you consider to be ‘yours’ is just out right ridiculous.

In fact, the idea of saying “be mine” on Valentine’s Day is both highly offensive and possessive. Granted, most mean it as a term of endearment, but there is still a triggering and most inhumane manner by which people relay this message: valentines.

Sending someone a cheap piece of chocolate with a note written in barely legible chicken scratch shouldn’t be seen as cute or romantic; it’s just plain cringy. And please, don’t get me started on those couples who are allegedly “meant for each other.”

Finding someone who is made for you is a false expectation for this generation. You WILL NOT find the perfect person, because guess what- people are sort of kind of terrible. The human race- most especially those who are interested in or infatuated by another person- is disgustingly incapable of producing true affection.

Zodiac pairs and matches made in heaven aren’t real either. Unfortunately for all of you, the only advice I have for a single person in search of a mate is- stop looking.

Significant others are overrated. Try investing your time in something more productive, such as crying yourself to sleep or spending time with your cats. If you do not own any cats, perhaps you should find a way to get a feline companion.

Another irritating quality held by Valentine’s Day is the irksome crowds at the best restaurants in town. All I want to do is enjoy a nice dinner at Olive Garden with myself and my lonely thoughts, but I cannot even step foot in the door because the lovely hostesses have placed a young couple at a

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table that seats a family of 12. Restaurants are over-packed, yet there are more empty seats than taken ones!

Because of the years and years of practicing the depressingly abject holiday of Valentine’s Day, our generation will be the one that is trapped in the vicious cycle of self-deprecating crushes and love triangles.

ILLUSTRATION BY AUSTIN HENDRICKS

WHO NEEDS LOVE: This satirical cartoon depicts an angry man on Valentine’s Day. Surrounded by love and affection, he angrily defends himself from the hearts with his umbrella of anger and apathy.

Inevitably, society has brainwashed our generation to need and seek out the affection of others. I do not disrespect this yearning for the company of another human; I simply despise the control that love and physical connection has on our society and our minds.

I get it; the desire to find someone who truly understands you can be overwhelmingly enticing. Humans were made to have companions and to share their lives with another human, but the extent to which they share this companionship makes all the difference. Flaunting your self-fabricated true love with appreciation posts on social media and extensive PDA is a grotesque and offensive way of displaying that you are taken.

Valentine’s Day seems to consistently and repeatedly embody these horrific vices of the human race. This wretched holiday has managed to ruin each 14th day of the second month every. single. year.

But, I digress. The horror that has been endured on this so called Valentine’s Day has gone unchallenged for too long. There are plenty of better methods of showing your love.

It should go without saying that the proper way to display affections is by remaining at least three feet away from each other whenever in public. Truly, I do believe that the best method of sharing your love with the world is by not sharing your love with the world. If anyone has ever said to you that they appreciate seeing you and your significant other together, they were either lying or completely insane.

Valentine’s Day is no exception to this rule, as love should remain in the deepest depths of your mind and fickle heart.

All in all, Valentine’s Day is a ridiculous excuse for a holiday. If you want to celebrate true love, feel free to do so, but please do it in the confinement of your home; leave me out of it.

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2.14.19

A showcase to behold

The upcoming showcase will display lesser known school talent such as Comedy Sportz, Show Choir

BY DREW REED Staff Writer

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eing able to demonstrate the skills you’ve been refining is an exciting time. The Fine Arts Showcase is a chance for the students that take part in classes and clubs such as Choir and Show Choir, Comedy Sportz, Band, and Orchestra, to show off their skills and talent in front of the whole school.

Comedy Sportz coach Kim Buckley, is always super ecstatic about the showcase.

“I love the attention that the fine arts students get, They don’t get as much of it compared to other sports throughout the year. The performers get to be appreciated by their classmates, and they hear people hootin’ and hollerin’ for them. It’s a lot of fun” Buckley said.

With the new gymnasium being built, it’s feasible that future showcases could be showcased there instead.

“We’ve always wanted some more space, and we’d have to have a sort of black-box theater goin’ on. The new gym is definitely a possibility, though” Buckley said.

While, the showcase is used to show off the fine arts students’ abilities, there’s less pressure put on the students to perform their absolute best and just have fun. Senior Mia Roberts, four year show choir and comedy sports team member, has expressed why she enjoys the showcase as much as she does.

“The showcase is different because there are no judges, awards, or other choirs to beat,” Roberts said. “Having your friends in the crowd is very energizing because they will usually scream and cheer the whole show, which is a great way to energize the performers and give them an extra

PHOTO BY AUSTIN HENDRICKS

BORK BORK: Senior Isabel Elsener and junior Sophie Louthain practice for an upcoming comedy sports competition. In this practice, Elsener and Louthain improvise a scene that takes place at a dog park.

boost of confidence so they can properly showcase the show we have been working on for so long.”

The showcase is a fun and energetic way to celebrate the hard work that the fine arts students put in to their show.

The students love to perform, especially for the people they know, and are eager to put their hard work to use. The showcase will happen next week on Tuesday, February 20th.

Caught in “The Mousetrap”

The famous play “The Mousetrap” by Agatha Christie is being brought to life through the Roncalli theater

BY ABBY LEISTER Staff Writer

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espite having its debut in 1952, “The Mousetrap” is still well-liked and the longest running play in the history of London’s West End. The play is set at Monkswell Manor, where seven strangers are stranded due to a blizzard. An investigator arrives to the scene on the pretence that a murder will occur, which it does. It is up to those inhabiting the Manor to uncover the murderer before the next “mouse” falls into a trap.

PHOTO BY ABBY LEISTER

KNOWING THE SCRIPT: Senior Allie Pena reads her lines after being casted as Ms. Paravicini. She is so excited for the play and to work with other actors and actresses in her cast that she has already highlighted and reviewed her lines.

The theater department has chosen to perform a rendition of Christie’s classic “whodunit” story instead of their previous idea of a series of one acts. After realizing there would not be enough short acts for the cast to perform, director Erin Bohn made the decision to try something new all together.

Coincidentally, the musical and the play are the same as Bohn’s senior year. The play itself is one of her favorites, which is why she advocated to attempt it.

“What if we tried this,” Bohn said. “And if it works then it can open up more opportunities.”

Unlike other plays the Rebels have done, the cast is unusually small. There are only three leads and five supporting roles. Of these roles, five are written as male and the other are female. To resolve this issue, there will be two casts, but the number is still significantly small.

However, senior Ben Leising did not seem to be more nervous about this audition than others. If anything, he is ecstatic to audition for his last production at Roncalli.

“I’m looking forward to who gets what parts,” Leising said. “I’m not really nervous because no matter what, I can be in the play by doing tech.”

Since auditions on January 22nd and 23rd, the cast list has been posted. Ben Leising, Sophie Louthain, Levi Ralston, Emily Wray, Xavier Wilson, Alex Balint, Allie Pena, and Zach Mayer are in one cast, while Trey Koch, Lillian Brown, Logan Mercuri, Mia Roberts, Dylan Kedra, Aubrey Fuhrman, Chris Figueroa, and Abby Conway are in the other cast. One cast will be named the “Mouse” cast, and the other the “Trap” cast.

To complement the casting set up, the technical crew has also been changed. They have decided to go with two managers in some areas, allowing one per each show, and other areas will have only one manager. However, the crew will work united to complete the set design and building.

In addition to the small cast, the setting is unlike most plays. It is what Bohn called a “box set,” which creates an illusion of an interior room on stage by utilizing three walls.

This is in contrast to most plays we have seen that transition between different sets due to location changes.

Two years ago, the theater department produced the play “Much Ado About Nothing.”

This play also maintained a constant background. With the need for only one set, the tech crew had put all their time and energy to make it look amazing. Bohn expects the same effort to go towards the background of “The Mousetrap.”

Despite the chances the cast, crew, and directors are taking on the play, the play is sure to be memorable. It is bound to be exciting, so make sure to come see how the play turns out.

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Swimmers finish strong

2.14.19

New and returning swimmers make major strides as they enter into the post-season and achieve new goals

BY JOSH WORMANN Staff Writer

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he boys’ and girls’ swimming teams have had a successful 2018-19 season, led by a strong senior class assisted by a promising group of underclassmen. Among these seniors are heavy hitters Blake Ludge, Derek Elam and Gabe Buening. Buening has been swimming for the last decade while Ludge just began swimming his freshman year, and Elam joined his sophomore year. A couple seasons later, Ludge and Elam are two of the most important swimmers on the team, and now plan to swim in college after being newcomers to the sport.

“I always liked swimming in a pool for fun,” said Ludge. “I started swimming because I was not very good at many other sports.”

Ludge is now just one spot-about one second-away from accomplishing one of his main goals in his high school career.

“My main goal is to break the [Roncalli] high school record for the 100m breaststroke,” said Ludge. “I have already met a goal on that path by taking second for all time top 10.”

On the younger side of the boys’ team, sophomore Matthew Croddy has made a huge impact this year after a solid freshman campaign, showing further potential growth in future seasons. Croddy has finished first in 50-freestyle, 100-freestyle,

PHOTO BY NICK PERKINS

PERFECT FORM: Sophomore Mathew Croddy dives into his leg of the 400 freestyle relay at the senior night dual meet with Cathedral. Croddy's relay team placed first.

and the 400-freestyle relay, setting a school record for the 100-freestyle relay with Elam, Buening and junior Will Hawkins.

“It seemed like everybody had major

improvements this season,” said Croddy.

“I think this is the result of lots of grinding over the summer.”

On the girls’ team, freshman Jyllian An-

tle and sophomore Maggie Peats have led a strong, balanced group to a conference championship. Antle has been the team’s strongest freshman, moving into third place in school history for points in a season and second place for average points per meet in a season at the sectional meet. Peats has improved greatly this season, moving into the “Roncalli top 10” for the 200m individual medley, breaking the record in the 100m backstroke, and taking second in school history for points in a season after the sectional meet.

“This season my main goal was to get the record in the 100 back,” said Peats. “In the future, I strive to continue to drop time in that event and break my record as well as eventually get the record in the 200 IM.” As a team, the girls placed fifth in sectionals with a score of 155.5. Along with Antle and Peats’ accomplishments at sectionals, junior Savannah Morrall moved into fifth place for points in a season, and third for average points per meet in a season.

The boys’ team will compete in the sectional meet at Franklin Community tonight at 5:30 p.m., following a season that included five wins and two first place finishes.

Brunk basketball legacy

Sophomore Johnny Brunk shares his warm-hearted story of honoring his father with the number on his chest

BY MADISON ALDRICH Staff Writer

S

wish.

That’s been a frequent sound for sophomore Johnny Brunk not only in this varsity game against Cardinal Ritter, but his entire life. Going back as far as Brunk can remember, basketball has been a “family affair.”

Brunk started playing when he was 5 years old, and hasn’t stopped since, playing high school during the winter months and travel ball all of the other months. As a freshman, Brunk appeared in 16 varsity games, making his presence known on the court. Stepping up as a leader, the 6’2 guard now averages 9 points per game. In the game against Cardinal Ritter, he had 15 points, 8 rebounds, and 9 assists alone.

Basketball was a bond between the three Brunk men- Joey (current Butler player), sophomore varsity player Johnny, and their late father, “Big Joe”, who passed away from cancer in 2017. Basketball was integrated into their daily lives, whether they were watching a game at home or on TV, practicing, or shooting around.

Mr. Joe Brunk, “Big Joe”, was a Hall of Fame basketball-player at Hanover College. He stands sixth on Hanover’s all-time scoring list, and fifth on the all time rebounding list. He was a two-time NAIA- All American.

His eldest son, Johnny’s big brother, Joey Brunk, currently plays for Butler University.

He followed in his father’s footsteps, being one of three finalists for IndyStar Mr. Basketball and an Indiana All-Star. Joey is easily spotted, since he goes to just about every one of Johnny’s basketball games and also because he is 6’11.

Since their father’s passing, basketball has taken on a whole new meaning to both of them. The number on the front of their jersey has become an identity, carrying on the legacy of his late father.

Both Johnny and Joey wear the number “50” in honor of their father. Their father wore the same number during his collegiate basketball career.

“I developed a stronger sense of faith throughout my dad’s sickness and passing. It allowed me a greater perspective and appreciation for life,” Johnny Brunk said. “Basketball will always be a game I love, but now it’s also a way to commemorate my dad.”

Brunk hopes to continue playing basketball at a high level, following in both his father and older brother’s footsteps. He will continue playing high school basketball for the Rebels, along with travel basketball in the summer, in order to achieve his dream of playing at a college close to home. But for the Brunk boys, it’s more than just basketball now, it’s tradition, legacy, and honor.

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TOWERING TRIO: Johnny Brunk (left) stands beside his late father Joe (center) and his brother, Joey. Both sons continue on the basketball tradition started by their father, with Joey playing Division I and Johnny playing varsity.

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