ELEVATE 3.2

ELEVATE

WHAT DO WE DO

NOW?

A discussion on gun control in America PG. 14

The Safe Alternative?

An inside look at the world of vaping

PG. 12

PLUS

Music & Movie Review Top Tips to Happiness The Rowdy Life

Cracking The System

Breaking the chains of mass incarceration PG. 8

1

12 08

Cracking the System Two RJHS students visited a prison in Pueblo, Colorado. Discover what they learned about the state’s prison conditions.

Top Tips to Happiness

10

Counselors weigh in on how to stay positive and feel your happiest.

12

The Safe Alternative?

The use of nicotine has been on a rapid rise in the past year. How much do you know?

What Do We Do Now?

14

The shooting at Marjorie Stoneman-Douglas High School has begun a conversation on school safety.

Find out what RJHS students are saying.

26

New Jesuits at RJHS Get to know the new Jesuits on the RJ campus.

Outstanding Athletes

28

Meet hockey player, Shane Ott, and swimmer Jada Sorrell-Norwood.

Spring 2018| Vol 3 Issue 2

32

26

STAFF

ELEVATE MAGAZINE Connor Lyford ‘18 and Anastasia Conley ‘18.......

Editors in Chief Patrick Koenigs ‘18.......Editor in Chief, RJmedianow.com Olivia Ary ‘18, Leo McCabe ‘19, Nick Faber ‘18, Patrick Koenigs ‘18, Maxine Fuselier ‘19, Sophia Marcinek ‘20, Olivia Bachmann ‘20, Xavier Ribota ‘18, Hunter Sullivan ‘20, Colton Barry ‘19, Gustavo Flores-Gomez ‘20...............

Editors-at-Large Nick Faber ‘18.......................Head of Design Leo McCabe ‘19, Elliot Steinberg ‘18........Photography Editors Cam Lynott ‘18 and Colton Barry ‘19 ........ Graphic Design Madeline Roper ‘21, Will Munro ‘20, Sam Stern ‘20, Michael Manoogian ‘20, Angela Serfwaa-Marfo ‘20, Chris Faber ‘20, Jose Orenday ‘21, Adriana Hunter ‘20, Annie Oberlies ‘20, Cate Lord ‘21, Shay Zilvitis ‘20, Bella Scipione ‘18, Kiahn Martinez ‘19, Hunter Dobbs ‘20, Lucas Frazier ‘20, Michael Gaessler ‘18, Eli Harvey ‘19, Ryan Tierney ‘20, Aidan Connolly ‘19, Will Kosempel ‘19, Alex Zoellner ‘19, MJ DiMuro ‘18, Ruth Woldemedhine ‘21, Beth Anne Richardson ‘20, Jack Schiavone ‘18 ........ Reporters

RJ Media [Elevate Magazine, rjmedianow.com, RJTV and RJTV Sports Network] operates as a limited-open forum for student free expression. The publications are for the students, by the students.

The staff aims to balance what the audience wants with what it needs, and strives to make solid judgments with regards to news value and news awareness.

The publications will serve as a medium for student opinions and ideas. RJ Media strives to produce objective, well-balanced and accurate reporting and content that features a range of students, their interests and their viewpoints. The staff is dedicated to being fair, accurate, balanced, truthful and responsible. The staff will seek the truth and report it, minimize harm and act independently. We promise to be transparent, accountable and open. The staff also upholds Ignation values with regard to social justice and openness to growth. The staff prides itself on using the Ignation Pedagogical Paradigm to help make decisions: context, experience, reflection, action, and evaluation.

The student Editorial Board will have final say in the content of the publications. School officials, administration or faculty and staff shall not practice prior review or the have the ability to censor any student publication, with the exception of material deemed to be legally obscene, libelous, substantially and materially disruptive, or coverage on any one of the following three topics, wherein coverage will be worked through with the president and principals: Obituaries, employee termination, and crimes or cases in the court of law.

EDITORIAL POLICIES

RJ MEDIA

The views of columnists are not necessarily those of the newspaper staff.

Opinions will be published on designated pages or otherwise marked.

All material published by RJ Media is copyrighted to RJ Media, year and date of original publishing. RJ Media will not publish any material that is a violation of copyright. We take our own photos and produce our own content. We sometimes use photos with express written permission, but only if we absolutely have to. Those will be credited to the photographer with attribution specified by the permission of use. Read our full editorial policies at rjmedianow.com/policy Read our full Editorial Policies at rjmedianow.com/about

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR - WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! Letters to the editor are welcome and encouraged, but will only be published if they are accompanied by a name and signature. Letters should be short and free of “bashing” or obscenity. Letters to the editor do not reflect the views of the RJ Media staff and will be marked on pages designated as such.

The staff reserves the right to edit letters for potentially libelous material and length. The staff will not edit letters for punctuation, grammar and usage.

Letters with issues will be returned to the submitter for further review.

Contact the RJ Media Editorial Board at rjmedia@regisjesuit.com or in the RJ Media Lab (PAC-102). You can also find us on Twitter and Instagram @RJ_Media

RJTV & RJ RADIO Nick Sangalis ‘18, Matthew Bornhorst ‘19, Angela Serwaa-Marfo ‘20, Michael Manoogian ‘19, Sam Stern ‘20, Jeron Johnson ‘20, Patrick Carlson ‘19, ..... Raider Sports Network Mr. Adam Dawkins ‘98, Ms. Sara Hildreth, Ms. Maria Lynch ................. Advisers Cam Lynott ‘18................... Cover Design We’ve partnered with publication printers to completely offset our magazine’s paper consumption but “releafing” (replanting) trees around the globe.

3

Leading Off The Regis Jesuit community packed into Guy Gibbs Gymnasium on Thursday, Dec. 14 for the Special Olympics Pep Rally and basketball game.

The Rowdies took on the Special Olympics Red and White teams during the game. The student body cheered on both teams, but leaned towards the Special Olympics Unified athletes.

Cheer and Poms teams performed before the game to get the crowd going.

Photo by: Leo McCabe ‘19 NIKON D5100 18mm F/3.5 1/160 Spring 2018| Vol 3 Issue 2

5

QUICK NEWS

1./

SIGNING DAY

Photo by Leo McCabe ‘19 SIGNING SENIORS: Adam Smallwood, Cade Mendenhall, Aubrey Marschel-Parker, Justin Lamb, Jake Heimlicher, Sean Dunnington, Dominic Mata, Charlie Maly, Anders Erikson, Elijah Warren, Elliot Steinberg, Ty Coen, Cal McCoy, Hunter Sherrard, Nathan Schraeder, Joey Salazar, Mariah Daley, Noelle Cahill, Olivia Ayers, Erin Pendleton, Lauren Olzak, Kayla Carman, Katelyn Martin, Hadley Templin, Mara Driver, Abby Kassel, Anne-Marie Kenny.

2./ Diversity Day On Tuesday, March 6, the Boys Division school principal, Mr. Carruthers, introduced this day by saying, “Let us promote a generous hospitality, particularly today and always, of collaboration and good will.” Regis Jesuit High School is a school of opportunity that stands out from anywhere else. It allows students to put themselves out in the world and experience diversity first hand.

Spring 2018| Vol 3 Issue 2

Our headlining speaker, Stephen Brackett, made a true impression on our student body. As he stood in front of hundreds of students and staff, he encouraged everyone to step up and make a difference as he announced that, “We need you, so dearly, to be more brilliant, more innovative, and more compassionate than we have ever been, and we know that you can, and we know that you will.”

Senior Cal McCoy is signed to the University of Denver to play golf.

REGIS JESUIT

HOCKEY STATE CHAMPIONS

Regis Jesuit Boys Varsity Hockey capped off their second ever undefeated season with a 2-0 win in the championships against Valor Christian High. Previously, the Raiders went undefeated in 2009 with a record of 22-0-1. It is their first season with ALL wins at 23-0 and a landmark year for Colorado high school hockey. During the 13 seasons of hockey at Regis Jesuit, the Raiders remain undefeated against 21 teams with FIVE state championships under their belt.

Photo by Katie Butefish ‘20

7

Pueblo County Jail sticks out like a sore thumb.

Photo by: Nick Faber ‘18

P

Cracking the System Story by: Nick Faber ‘18 and Isabella Scipione ‘18

“These privatized prison systems have to either ueblo, about 2 hours outside of Denver, is a city maintain a certain number of beds or number of prisoners of about 110,000 people. It’s small, however, to maintain a profit... so they have a vested interest in higher it holds a problem much larger than itself: a stakes in sentencing,” said Mr. B.K. mountainous issue that is only getting worse

Over 25% of the 2.3 million incarcerated are housed throughout the nation- the overpopulation of in a private prison. The largest for-profit prison company has prisons/jails. over 61 prisons nation-wide and received $1.7 billion of fed Overpopulated prisons are a huge eral funding in 2011. As each year goes by, more and more issue in the United States. 17 states, including Colorado, have pop up. an overall prison population exceeding 110%. 2.3 million Reverend Bryan Massingale was a keynote speaker people are currently incarcerated in the U.S.A. The U.S. has the largest prison population in the world at the at the 20th annual Ignation Family Teach-In compared to our overall population as a counin Washington, D.C. In his speech, he is quoted try. as saying, “No matter what issue you bring to the

Jim Broderick-King, a Boys Division table… they are all entangled with and enmeshed in of black men senior theology teacher, has studied issues of racism.” who dropped out the current prison system.

In the over 6,000 jails/prisons, 40% of of high school “It’s not that I know a lot of people affected prisoners are African-American and another 19% are by this, but I’ve witnessed everyone, from the are Latino. incarcerated Pope, to holy people, to friends who act with

Mr. B.K. commented, saying, “The racial discrimination is not an accident.” compassion towards the imprisoned,” he said.

“If we want to change the world,” commented

One of the largest contributors to the issue Rev. Massingale,“we need a new way of seeing, a new way relating to mass incarceration is the privatized prison of loving, a new way of living.” industry.

70%

We cannot heal what we can not own.

Spring 2018| Vol 3 Issue 2

Obstacles to Discussing Racism

:

1. We don’t know what we’re talking about Many think we are living in a “post-racial” society; so then what exactly is “racism”?

Through the Years

The past 4 years for the students graduating in 2018 have been “seismic.” From freshman year to senior year, Fr. Bryan Massingale shared the social justice events that shook up each year.

Freshman Year (2014)- Michael Brown

Michael Brown Jr. was killed on the streets of Furguson, Mo.

Sophomore Year (2015)Charleston, SC Massacre

A historically black church in Charleston, S.C., was in the middle of prayer. A white man entered, opened fire, and killed 9 people. This sparked a debate over Confederate symbols like the flag and monuments.

Junior Year (2016)- Presidential Campaign

“The leading Republican contender began his journey to the White House by calling Mexican immigrants rapists and holding campaign rallies filled with chants of ‘Build the wall.’”

Senior Year (2017)- Charlottesvile/NFL Protests

As the class of 2018 prepares for graduation, white nationalist marchers carried tiki torches through American streets in Charlottesville, N.C. “The class of 2018 had not ever witnessed these kinds of scenes in the United States, except in grainy black-and-white videos perhaps shown to them by a history teacher”.

Our Visit To Prison

At over 145% capacity, Pueblo County Jail is one of the most overpopulated jails in the state of Colorado. We spent an afternoon there. This is our experience...

[1].

Condition of the Jail

[2].

Condition of The Prisoners

The jail in Pueblo is an astonishing reminder of just how close these poor conditions are. Sitting in a 65 year old building were 748 inmates. It is designed, however, to hold about 450 inmates at any given time. Leaks are a common problem whenever it rains or snows. Pipe damage is the cause; “they’re always an ongoing issue.” The inmates have to make tents to protect themselves from the dripping rain using their one blanket.

The elevators tend to work when they want to. These are essential to the daily operation of the jail. One, for example, is the only way to access the kitchen and dining hall, so when that elevator inevitably breaks, the kitchen staff has to transport the food down from that floor to the ground level, dragged outside and around the building to the front entrance, and brought up to the inmates through another elevator. Another one of the elevators is a few centimeters off from the floors that it takes you to.

A second wing was built a few years ago as a “band-aid,” but this still hasn’t helped much.

Space is scarce in this jail.

Each cell is designed for, at the most, 2 inmates at one time. On average, each houses 3. Giant pieces

2. We don’t know how to talk about it We have this code of silence where we do not say anything or do not raise the issues—out of fear of sounding ignorant or causing offense.

of plastic, called “boats”, provide the extra beds for the inmates who don’t have any. A false sense of order is kept by maintaining 4 rules: immediately after waking up, you must make your bed, you must keep your clothes on, you must keep your area and the common area clean, and you must go to bed at 9 o’clock every night. There are fights constantly, there is very little personal space, and it’s never quiet.

[3].

Condition of the Guards

Describing all of the hardships of the prison and the prisoners, one aspect is generally overlooked: the conditions of the guards.

Crammed in small rooms across the jail are guards who overlook every inch of the jail. This is a tasking job as they usually are working overtime and rarely get a day off.

A dorm in the Pueblo County Jail should hold no more than 80 people but had about 110 people when we went.

In one of the male dorms, they were so short staffed that they had to place a female guard in to watch them. She regularly gets overpowered.

Many former prisoners feel silenced by the same system that kept them imprisoned.

Illustration by Cam Lynot ‘18

3. We don’t want to talk about it Talking about racism takes us to places that we do not want to go because we have to face some very unsettling and deeply uncomfortable truths.

9

TOP TIPS TO HAPPINESS FROM YOUR COUNSELORS Story by Kiahn Martinez ‘19

Ms. Ames

Mr. Moeller

Mr. Merz-Hutchinson

TOP TIP TO HAPPINESS

TOP TIP TO HAPPINESS

TOP TIP TO HAPPINESS

Don’t hold on to grudges or negativity.

It can be toxic to your heart and soul.

Forgive yourself and others!

ON BEING A COUNSELOR There are many things that bring me joy. The moments when I get through to a student who has put up many walls is very fulfilling. It feels great especially when they don’t connect to many kids, but I can reach them. Additionally, it’s not that I like to bring kids to tears, but seeing when they have a release feels good because I know it will help them in the long run. So to summarize, connecting with the students who are hard to connect with and helping kids release their emotions is very rewarding.

One more thing: I love when I hear kids I’ve worked with helping others and echoing what I’ve taught them. That brings me great joy. I like the challenge of getting through to the tough ones and the kids others have written off. That is why I spent the bulk of my career with high risk youth, many of whom society thought were the “throw away” kids.

Spring 2018| Vol 3 Issue 2

Get outside! Whether it’s biking, hiking, fishing, or skiing. God gave us nature so we would enjoy it.

ON BEING A COUNSELOR I find the most joy in counseling when my students know how much I care about them. I also love it when they start to realize their potential and begin to make positive changes in their lives. Being in a Jesuit high school, I find joy in being able to talk about my relationship with God with my students. Finally, being able to laugh with my students and simply hang out with them brings me a lot of joy.

Stay connected and open to those you love and who love you. Be willing to be vulnerable, to risk what is uncomfortable and painful, in order to take off the masks and be your true, honest self. Be kind, be brave, smile, sing, dance, get outside, do what you love, and hug the ones you love often.

ON BEING A COUNSELOR It brings me joy to be a part of such a loving community of students and adults. It brings me joy to sit with students and listen to their stories and their hearts. To be a witness and an open touchstone for their vulnerabilities, challenges, and successes. To support students in their growth... personally, academically, socially and spiritually.

To watch them learn more about themselves and love themselves more each day and to blossom and grow, over time, into young men with and for others.

Ms. Valdez TOP TIP TO HAPPINESS When things aren’t going well and I am facing a lot of challenges, I like to reframe these challenges as growth opportunities. Seeing challenges in this light motivates me to try new approaches, seek out new experiences, and connect with people by asking for help. Knowing that I am actively tackling a problem makes me feel upbeat and positive.

ON BEING A COUNSELOR I have always been very passionate about helping others. I have worked in numerous settings in which the primary focus was on helping young adults become successful. A student’s journey from freshman to senior year is full of learning, stress, achievements, failures and everything in between. The joy of watching our young men and women blossom into kind, caring, and successful members of our community is why I choose to work here at Regis Jesuit. As a counselor and educator, it brings me joy to see the dedication, resiliency, hard work and amazing amount of time and effort our students put into their ultimate success!

Ms. Justis TOP TIP TO HAPPINESS

ON BEING A COUNSELOR

I love the phrase, “I went out to find a friend and there was not one to spare. I went out to be a friend and there were friends everywhere!” Be the kind of friend people need in their lives, and you will receive friendship in return.

Being part of a student’s journey as they face challenges, coming to accept himor herself, and understanding what they want in life brings me joy. I love helping them progress as they become young adults and come into their own.

Ms. Brown TOP TIP TO HAPPINESS

ON BEING A COUNSELOR

Find something that feeds your soul-art, journaling, going for a walk, etc.-and make time for that activity on a regular basis. Whatever happens in life, remember to take care of your heart.

I love being with students on their journey, hearing their incredible stories, and watching them come through a difficult situation. It brings me joy to be with them through the whole process.

Mr. Reiser TOP TIP TO HAPPINESS

ON BEING A COUNSELOR

Say “thank you”. Be grateful for all of the many gifts you have been given and show your appreciation to all of those who have helped along the way. Develop an attitude of gratitude.

STUDENTS! Supporting students, caring for students, simply sharing in their journey, and visiting with them when they come back from college or as young adults makes being a school counselor incredibly rewarding work.

11

T

his problem of “juuling”

is clearly affecting our community directly at Regis Jesuit, but it has also been a problem in schools across the country.

So what exactly is this nation-wide issue?

Graphic Design by: Cat Lynott ‘18

Spring 2018| Vol 3 Issue 2

The Safe Alternative?

E

Story by Hunter Sullivan ‘20, Annie Oberlies ‘20, Adriana Hunter ‘20

asily accessible, highly addictive, and widely accepted. The Juul, created for, according to JUUL Labs, “adult smokers seeking a satisfying alternative to cigarettes,” is the harmful new trend among teenagers seeking a head-rush. The Juul has quickly become the ‘cigarette’ of our generation. This problem of “juuling” is clearly affecting our community directly at Regis Jesuit, but has also been a problem in schools across the country.

So what exactly is this new vape product? The Juul itself is two parts: a shell and a pod. The plastic shell contains a rechargeable battery used to heat nicotine salts inside a steel vapor path.

The pod contains the flavored liquid and comes in various flavors, including mint, tobacco, fruit, classic menthol, creme brûlée, mango, and cucumber.

Combined, the shell and pod create a delivery system for nicotine without inhaling damaging smoke directly linked to various types of cancer and heart disease. But that doesn’t mean it’s safe.

The nicotine in the Juul is absorbed into the bloodstream and stimulates the adrenal glands to release adrenaline in the brain, which causes an increase in heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure. It also releases dopamine, a chemical which makes you feel pleasure in your brain, causing a feeling of euphoria. This “buzz” only lasts for a couple of seconds, which forces the user to do it again to feel that rush of dopamine to the brain. The more you do it, the more you need.

“Once you do it, you feel really happy and then you feel like

you need that more and more to sustain happiness… or be happy,” explains one Regis Jesuit student who asked to remain anonymous.

While at first it can be a way for students to relax when stressed, it can lead to one of the most negative addictions.

“I have seen it affect other people in the way that they get distracted and can’t study without it,” said another anonymous RJ student.

The Juul has almost become a status symbol, and peer pressure is a factor too.

“I got introduced to it by some older kids, and I felt pressured to do it but then I liked it after I tried it,” an anonymous student explained. “People Juul because they just want to fit into the social norms and do what their friends are doing to fit in.”

Clearly it has become a problem at Regis Jesuit, leading to numerous disciplinary actions, including suspension and expulsion.

According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, teens may be especially sensitive to nicotine, making it easier for them to become addicted. The younger you are when you start, the more likely you are to become addicted. Three out of four high school smokers will become adult smokers, and there is no research to suggest this trend will stop no matter the nicotine delivery system.

The common misconception of nicotine is that it is extremely addictive but there is no other harm. Users don’t get addicted to the Juul; they get addicted to the nicotine that is from the Juul. It has been reported to be indirectly linked to cancer and damages eyesight, memory, the

lungs, and the brain.

According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse, “The teen years are critical for brain development, which continues into young adulthood. Young people who use nicotine products in any form, including e-cigarettes, are uniquely at risk for long-lasting effects.”

Nicotine isn’t the only potentially harmful substance in a Juul. In an article published in 2015 by Harvard Medical School, research was conducted on chemicals found in 51 different e-cigarettes. Diacetyl, a chemical found in 75% of flavored e-cigarettes and refills (including Juul pods), was found to be linked “to cases of severe respiratory disease.”

In addition, there were two other harmful chemicals found in many of the flavors that were being tested. The chemicals found have been reported to cause severe lung disease and could even lead to cancer.

On the JUUL Labs website, the disclaimer warns, “This product contains chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.”

ONE JUUL POD CONTAINS THE SAME AMOUNT OF NICOTINE FOUND IN AN ENTIRE PACK OF CIGARETTES

13

Student Council Columbine family cameras #StudentVoice RJ 4 Life smear campaigns guns cyber-bullying Colorado drills organization reporters social media student leadership security education National Rifle Association international campus security metal detectors gun control gun violence purchase laws bullying Justice League schools

Jesuit

Campus Ministry campus safety truth

bystanders

armed teachers background media checks militias regulation assault rifles

What

Spring 2018| Vol 3 Issue 2

Arapahoe mental health

Catholic Church Safe2Tell age #NeverAgain

Story contributers: Anastasia Conley, Sam Stern, Connor Lyford, Leo McCabe, Patrick Koenigs, Sophia Marcinek, Olivia Ary, Colton Barry, Gustavo Gomez, Hunter Sullivan, Maxine Fuselier, Olivia Bachmann, Sophia Marcinek, Katie Butefish, Sam Stern, Gustavo Flores Gomez, Hunter Sullivan.

Graphic Illustrations: Cam Lynott ‘18

Federal Bureau of Investigation

nearby school districts

student response psychology of shooter generations medication Aurora Police fake news communication Department student walkout

victims

prayer violence privacy bans marked cars bump stocks

Second Amendment

Stoneman Douglas criminal records faith

transparency

God

Do We Do Now ?

Diversity Action Group

local police

research

s

What Happened?

Sandy Hook. Columbine. Virginia Tech. Arapahoe.

Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.

It was just minutes before the bell rang to signal the end of the school day when a 19 year old former student walked onto the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School campus in Parkland, Florida, with an AR-15 and a backpack full of ammo. Three minutes later, in the midst of chaos, he left, walking to a nearby restaurant to buy a drink.

Who did he leave behind?

Scott Beigel, 35, was a widely admired geography teacher.

Alyssa Alhadeff, 14, played competitive soccer and was on the debate team.

Martin Duque Anguiano, 14, was known for his outgoing personality and sense of humor.

Nicholas Dworet, 17, was committed to swim at University of Indianapolis, where he recently received an academic scholarship and was planning to study physical therapy.

Aaron Feis, 37, played football at Stoneman Douglas, graduated from the school, and later came back to work as a security monitor and assistant football coach. He also mowed lawns on the weekends to help the school in any way he could.

Jaime Guttenberg, 14, was an avid dancer, and was known for her warm personality.

Christopher Hixon, 49, was the athletic director at Stoneman Douglas, and was known to be an effective motivator and good coach.

Luke Hoyer, 15, aspired to play in the NBA, and was known for his huge heart.

Cara Loughran, 14, was a strong student who enjoyed time at the beach and spending time with her family.

Gina Montalto, 14, was a member of the color guard team at Stoneman Douglas.

Joaquin Oliver, 17, was a basketball fan as well as a player. He was a writer who filled a notebook with poetry.

Alaina Petty, 14, was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as well as the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps.

Meadow Pollack, 18, was planning to attend Lynn University in the fall.

Helena Ramsay, 17, planned on attending college next year, and was known to be dedicated to her school work and kindhearted.

Alex Schachter, 14, spent his time playing basketball with his friends and playing trombone in the marching band at Stoneman Douglas.

Carmen Schentrup, 16, was a 2018 National Merit Scholarship semifinalist.

Peter Wang, 15, was a member of the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps and was known as a kid who would be friends with everyone.

17 dead and 14 injured in the deadliest school shooting since a gunman opened fire on an Connecticut elementary school in 2012.

The students and teachers at Stoneman Douglas have proven that they will not be broken.

Survivors have banded together, calling for new gun laws and demanding action from lawmakers. The weapon used was purchased legally, despite a history of behavior described as “dangerous and threatening” and calls to the Broward County police, including concerns that he “planned to shoot up the school.” In addition, the FBI failed to follow through on a January phone call which tipped them off to the suspect’s “gun ownership, desire to kill people, erratic behavior, and disturbing social media posts, as well as the potential of him conducting a school shooting.”

In a passionate speech that has since gone viral, Emma Gonzalez, a senior at Marjory Stoneman Douglas, demanded that the government changes something immediately.

“We are going to be the kids you read about in textbooks,” she said, “Not because we’re going to be another statistic about mass shooting in America, but because… we are going to be the last mass shooting.”

15

Campus Safety & Security

How is RJ keeping us safe?

In response to national concern around school security, Regis Jesuit is making sure kids are kept safe.

“I want to secure this school,” Mr. Stephen, the director of school security, says. “My ultimate goal is to completely fortify this school.

If it takes a fence, I’ll build a fence.” Until then, protective film is being added to windows to make it more difficult to break or kick in.

New software is being implemented where anyone attempting to walk in to our buildings would swipe their driver’s license and their name would be looked up in a database before being allowed to come in. The school is also investing more than $50,000 in new surveillance cameras in addition to the 100 already installed.

Besides updated technology, two security specialists and two campus monitors are at Regis Jesuit, with a second security specialist being considered for the night-shift. President David Card recently announced that “select members of our four-member security team will be carrying loaded handguns while they are on duty at the school.” For the remainder of the school year, Mr. Stephen will be armed, with a second armed guard being selected this summer.

It is unlikely that select teachers will be armed at Regis Jesuit. The Federal

Spring 2018| Vol 3 Issue 2

Emergency Management Agency is instructing teachers and school leaders on ways to respond to security issues without weapons. In addition, an app is being looked into where teachers can contact the police department immediately and send out their location directly from their classrooms if needed.

The school also wants to better instruct students. “People need to realize that security is a personal responsibility,” Mr. Stephen says.

“Don’t open doors for strangers.” Mrs. Lotito adds, “Doors should never be blocked open with objects, and if anyone sees a door propped open, please remove the item and secure the door.” It is not just important but necessary to report anything suspicious.

Regis Jesuit works in close connection with several organizations to report and respond to security issues. The Aurora Police Department and FBI are used as resources if and when necessary.

This increase in Regis Jesuit security comes after recent issues. Last semester alone, there were five different instances where strangers attempted to steal from the school or students’ cars. A man was able to come in to one of Regis Jesuit buildings and steal a computer. In another situation, a senior’s car was stolen and wrecked.

A few weeks later, Regis Jesuit security director caught a

different man attempting to break into another student’s car. Luckily, Mr. Stephen was able to detain the subject until the police arrived to arrest him. “I caught the man with a knife on him,” he remembers. “That could’ve been a dangerous situation. We need to remember just how serious these things are.”

“The last thing that parents should have to worry about when they are sending their kids to school is will they come at the end of the day,” Mr. Sullivan, the VP of Operations, says. “I was proud to have two of my daughters attend Regis and I’ll say that I’m very proud that Regis has been on the forefront in school safety.

But, hopefully at our school, as well as schools across across the country, we are going to have a discussion about proactive things that we can be doing to make schools safe.”

Student Council Columbine family cameras #StudentVoice cyber-bullying reporters National Rifle Association purchase laws God medication generations student response education bullying Campus Ministry bystanders armed teachers militias regulation Diversity Action Group regulation assault rifles criminal records faith armed security metaldetector privacybump stocksArapa h o e a g e FederalBureau of Investigation psychologyof shooter fake news medication communication victims Aurora Police Department student walkout StudentCouncil Columbine familycameras #StudentVoice cyber-bullying reporters National Rifle Association purchase laws Student Council Columbine family cameras #StudentVoice cyber-bullying reporters National Rifle Association purchase laws God medication generations student response education bullying Campus Ministry bystanders armed teachers militias regulation Diversity Action Group regulation assault rifles criminal records faith armed security metaldetector privacybump stocksArap-

Media

How do you stay informed?

Mental Health

How can we help each other?

Part of increasing school security relies on increasing awareness and support for students with declining or disrupted mental health.

The suspected Stoneman-Douglas shooter suffered from what can be reasonably described as a variety of mental health issues. An in-depth New York Times article reported that Nikolas Cruz had faced consistent encounters with the police for his behavioral issues (including expulsion from Stoneman Douglas High School), and “showed every red flag” before the shooting occurred.

Questions arose as to why Cruz’s health issues were not addressed sooner, and many states have responded by discussing these issues more in-depth.

Kenneth Trump (no relation to President Donald Trump), the President of the National School Safety and Security Services, released a statement to RJ Media addressing nationwide Mental Health issues.

“Schools alone cannot handle all of the challenges students bring with them to the schoolhouse. Having the ability to make referrals to outside community-based mental health services, and to possibly bring some of those services into the schools, provides school administrators and counselors with additional options for student supports.”

Locally, lawmakers in Colorado recently provided 4.3 million dollars in funding to implement more anti-bullying policies in Colorado schools. However, a separate bill which requested more funding to help prevent suicides in schools was not passed.

as a private school, does not follow the same implemented statewide programs that public schools do.

So what are some of the things Regis Jesuit does, as a school, to help address the mental health issue on our very campus?

“I think one of the most important security measures we take is our constant focus on the culture and relationships we have in our c o m m u n i t y.

I think about things like our LINK program, our retreat programs, the importance we place on the five pillars of the Grad at Grad, and even simple things like morning announcements with birthday wishes and commendations. Strong, caring relationships and really looking out for people who are feeling excluded in one way or another are critical to the health and security of our community,” said President Card in an email to RJ Media.

Nothing seems to change, no matter how brutal -Archbishop the cost.

Charles J. Chaput

In the face of tragedy, Americans often rely on news media for information and updates. These tragedies have become increasingly prevalent and, amid the chaos, facts can become tangled up with falsehoods, and it can be difficult to decipher the truth.

Students who survived the Stoneman shooting have been the subjects of many false news stories and conspiracy theories, including claims that they are “crisis actors”.

Other misleading or untrue stories regarding the identity of the shooter have also been circulated.

In spite of this, students at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School have been leading the charge when it comes to responsible advocacy and coverage.

Students such as Emma Gonzalez have appeared on all platforms of media, especially Twitter, to share their message on issues from gun control to school safety to politics. Other students have appeared on cable news stations and national features like 60 Minutes.

Not only have the student journalists of Marjory Stoneman Douglas been doing work as student reporters been writing for their newspaper, the Eagle Eye, they have also been appearing in news outlets across the country, sharing their stories and raising their voices about how to move forward.

David Hogg, a student journalist and activist, interviewed and filmed students during the shooting.

He said he only had one thought on his mind: tell the story.

17

Gun Violence

What is being done about gun violence?

In the wake of the shooting of 17 students at Stoneman Douglas in Parkland, Florida, all sides are trying to find what changes in law and practice can help us avoid these all-too-frequent tragedies.

Six days after the Stoneman Douglas shooting, President Trump said on Twitter, “Whether we are Republican or Democrat, we must now focus on strengthening background checks.”

In the weeks following the Stoneman Douglas shooting, President Trump has again made statements on the topics of background checks, arming teachers, raising age limits, ending the sales of bump stocks, mental health, and fighting back.

During a town hall featuring politicians from both sides and students from Stoneman Douglas, Republican Senator Marco Rubio agreed with the president by saying, “I will support changing our

background system so that it includes more information than it includes now, and that all states across the country are required or incentivized to report all the information into it.” Senator Rubio also agreed with the President when it comes to banning bump stocks.

Direct action after mass shootings is actually nothing new.

Eight months after the Aurora Theatre Shooting in 2013 where twelve people were killed, Colorado passed House Bill 1015, which prohibits the possession of certain magazine ammunitions. That bill was up for repeal seven days after the Stoneman Douglas shooting. The repeal failed in the Democratic House, and the ammunition bans will continue. House Bill 1037, sponsored by Patrick Nevelline, a Columbine shooting survivor, also failed that day. His bill would have allowed concealed carry permit holders to

handguns on public school property.

After the Texas church massacre--the deadliest shooting in Texas history--the military rushed to add more than 4,000 names to a gun ban list after learning that the shooter’s Air Force court martial conviction was not relayed to civilian law enforcement and followed up in the background check system.

Two weeks after the Stoneman Douglas shooting, Dick’s Sporting Goods announced that it will no longer sell AR-15s, the gun used in the shooting, and will also stop selling assault style weapons together; the company’s CEO also said that he will stop selling high-capacity magazines and will not sell a gun to anyone under 21.

In the week following Walmart and Kroger, two of the country’s biggest retailers made similar announcements.

On Februrary 22, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York and Rhode Island came together to form a gun safety coalition and are planning to share registries of people prohibited from owning firearms in their selective states.

In 1996, federal policy banned funding for gun violence research. If that policy-- the Dickey Amendment -- was repealed, U.S. health departments could conduct research and create evidence-based gun violence prevention programs.

Conversation and direct action has been seen in a lot of ways, and the question will be, will this be another American tragedy or a movement that sparks action?

Catholic Response

What is the Catholic response?

The reactions and responses of the Catholic Church to events such as the Stoneman Douglas shooting tend to go unnoticed by the majority of the public.

In a letter addressed to majority and minority leaders of Congress, the Jesuit Schools Network urged them to “require universal background checks for all gun purchases, limit civilians access to high-capacity weapons and ammunition magazines, make gun

Spring 2018| Vol 3 Issue 2

trafficking a federal crime, and improve access to mental health care for those who are prone to violence.”

Pope Francis commented on the shooting, saying, “[I was] deeply saddened to learn of the tragic shooting”.

The Vatican also stated that the Pope “prays that Almighty God may grant eternal rest to the dead and healing and consolation to the wounded and those who grieve.”

Philadelphia’s Archbishop Charles J. Chaput said, “Let us make it clear to our elected officials that the weapons and ammunition that facilitate this carnage have no place in our culture.” The fact is, the Catholic Church believes that weapons capable of causing such pain and devastation should not and can not be allowed into our lives and that we, as a society, need to show our leaders this.

Archbishop Chaput states he remembers meeting the families affected by the Columbine shooting in 1999 when he was archbishop of Denver. He said that the response to shootings

We cannot

risk

another young life because of our inaction. remains static. “Nothing seems to change, no matter how brutal the cost. Terrible things happen; pious statements

are released, and the nation goes back to its self-absorbed distractions.”

From how the Church reacts to these types of situations indicates that we, as the people who react to these terrible occasions, need to realize what is right or wrong and how to do something about it. “Columbine, Newtown, Virginia Tech, Parkland- and others. They are the names of our shame as a Nation.”

The Walkout

Photos by: Anastasia Conley ‘18

More than 700 students walked out of Regis Jesuit High School at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, March 14th, to stand alongside students from across the nation in remembrance of the 17 killed at Stoneman Douglas High School. A statement from RJHS school leadership was published to the community before the planned walkout.

Members of the RJ Justice League led a prayer, a moment of silence, and a call for action. “We are stating that more needs to be done for safety in schools and that we, as students, have the right to feel safe in school,” the Justice League wrote on Twitter. The walkout was meant to bring attention to the issue of student safety and open up an inclusive discussion between students about what to do moving forward.

“I am here to stand in solidarity with students of Florida,” said Justice League leader and Student Council President, Anna Van Jacobs ‘18.

Another organizer, senior Nick Faber, felt personally connected to the movement because of the survivors from Columbine. “I was born a year after the Columbine shooting on April 20th,” he said. It impacted him and motivated him, as he put it, to “stand up and speak out for what I believe in.”

“I want more school safety,” says Carly Markowski, a sophomore who walked out. Senior Jennifer Menjivar agrees.

“We all deserve to feel safe no matter where we are.”

“This is an issue that shouldn’t be an issue,” says junior Finn Barbieri. “The only way that we are going to solve this is with our students because it’s been clear most lawmakers don’t want to do anything about it. Students will be and need to be the leaders now.”

Colorado Senator Michael Bennet responded to the students walking out with a tweet that said, “we stand with you & commit to act.” There are ongoing discussions, but no legislation has been implemented on a national level to solve this issue. On the day of the national walkout – one month

Reporting by:

after the Parkland shooting – the “STOP School Violence Act” was approved in the House of Representatives in a 407-10 bipartisan vote and will now head to the Senate. The bill addresses training, physical improvements to schools to improve safety, and emergency notification and response training and technologies. During the walkout, RJ Justice League members encouraged students to call their representatives and continue to demand action.

Jesuit leaders from around the world have spoken out for something to be done as well. “We adults have repeatedly failed,” Father Michael J. Sheeran, SJ, President of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities, wrote in a letter to Congress and another to President Trump.

“We have watched in admiration and awe as the poised, articulate young survivors of the Parkland massacre have beseeched adults to fix this. Now we must listen to our youth. We must not cruelly disparage them in this time of trauma, grief, and anger. Now we urge you, as President and Members of Congress, to listen and to fix this.”

After fourteen students and three teachers were killed at Stoneman Douglas High School, Regis Jesuit students, along with students from across the nation, are working on continuing the discussion further. The fight for stronger student continued with the March for Our Lives on March 24th.

Olivia Bachmann ’20, Sophia Marcinek ’20, Katie Butefish ’20, Sam Stern ’20, Gustavo Flores Gomez ’20, Hunter Sullivan ’20.

19

#STUDENT VOICE

“I appreciate that firearms are both fun and practical recreational tools. They are also a practical self defense option. I have gone hunting with my grandfather and shooting with friends and enjoyed both immensely. Firearms are not inherently tools of death; I agree with that statement. However, no other tool we have access to has the capability to cause death on such a large scale. Assault rifles were designed to make one man into a killing machine, and they’re pretty damn good at it. Hunting rifles were designed for hunting, shotguns were designed to kill birds, handguns were designed for self defense. Assault rifles were designed to kill a lot of people in a very low amount of time. If you need an assault rifle to defend yourself, you are doing something illegal. Nobody needs to be able to gun down thirty muggers, or burglars, or trespassers. I appreciate that they’re fun, but you wanting to keep your AR-15 to go shooting on the weekends is why we can’t pass laws so that a kid with mental issues can’t go shooting in his high school or a psychotic man can’t buy a shotgun, assault rifle, handgun and 100 round drum magazine and gun down a movie theater full of innocent people. The solution to this issue is just to outlaw large magazines. Let’s say you set the number at six. If you need a magazine larger then six rounds for any reason, you are doing something illegal. I appreciate your time for reading this and please take some time to consider it; it’s common sense, people.”

True RHJS ‘19

“The recent school shootings that have happened, specifically at Stoneman Douglas High School, have shown me that there needs to be change. We need more gun control; we need safety in our schools.

It is a fundamental right for students to feel safe at school, and this can only be achieved through the outlawing of automatic rifles and other war-like guns. We need our senators to listen to our voices, and we need our voices to be loud, which is why I will be standing in solidarity with the Florida students on March 14 by walking out of school at 10 AM.” Anna RHJS ‘19

“I believe that the best way to protect a school is to arm veterans that have the training to protect the country against other trained fighters, nonetheless a rogue kid. Our schools can not be protected by gun free zone signs any longer. I think that mental health is a bigger issue than gun control; a crazy person with a car can do tons of damage also, but we don’t blame the car. Insane people are the problem.

On gun control, the Second Amendment wasn’t created to protect the people against a tyrannical deer population; it was created to overthrow a government that turns to anarchy. People want to hand over guns to the very government that they are designed to defend against. Some people call Trump evil but want to surrender our defense to him.

I think that the media uses us students and riles us up to send us on a mission with their agenda. If we would think a little, we would see through it and understand that media and politicians are using us as weapons against their enemies.” Joshua RJHS ‘21

Spring 2018| Vol 3 Issue 2

“I am pro gun; I do believe that it’s your human right as an American to own a gun, however I do believe that, I know that in the news recently I’ve been hearing that Trumps been pushing new gun control laws including banning bump stocks and increasing the gun age to 21. I do agree with that. I don’t believe we should take guns away from people; we should take people away from guns.”

Zach RHJS ‘18

“The shooting was a complete tragedy. The students and the teachers who put their own lives in front of other students to save them was inspiring, but, at the same time, devastating because of all the deaths we had. 17. What needs to change is the gun free zones. It just provides a target for mass shootings.” Harrison RJHS ‘18

“My 2 friends were found dead, and I was so sad. I don’t remember a time that I was happy that day. I felt like my world was turned upside down.” Ella Stoneman Douglas ‘20

It was February 14, 2018. Life was great for students at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, but in the blink of an eye, life became an utter nightmare. A gunman entered the school with an AR-15 and opened fire through the walls with no regard for human life. After brutally killing seventeen people and injuring more, he escaped and was later caught by the Parkland Police.

This shooting really sunk in with me as it has with teenagers, teachers, and others adults all over the world in school atmospheres.. To think of the number of warning signs there were showing how horrifying this former student was is truly devastating and worrisome: Social media pages.

Physical actions. Online hints. The fact that a person exhibiting these red flags could not be stopped and or investigated is ridiculous.

These gun laws are absolutely insane. How can it be that you can get a rifle of any kind at the age of 18, but you cannot get a handgun until the age of 21 in the United States.

According to the Guardian, “ Most Americans can buy an AR-15 rifle before they can buy beer.” The laws need to be looked into quickly before another one of these horrific events happen.

I am a supporter of our country, and I plan to continue my support throughout my life. I will not just keep silent and let my thoughts go cold. It is a total embarrassment to our country that we keep witnessing these torturous acts of hatred. These mass shootings remind us of the Jesuit value for all life. This value is made visible by this Parkland shooting.

Every one of the victims had futures no matter what. Aaron Feis was one of the seventeen victims of this mass shooting.

Even among these brave men and women, Feis is a standout hero. Feis was a person who truly cared for his students.

He was an assistant coach of the MSD football team, and a member of the security at the school. He truly cared for others in every way possible including helping a kid emotionally through cancer, mowing lawns at the school on the weekends just to help the school, and much more. Feis cared so much for others he gave up his own life in order to save young teenagers from being shot. Feis is an inspiration to me and teaches me everyday that life’s too short to care just about yourself. Why not assist someone or care for someone in times of pain and even happiness? Make someone else’s life better. In the words of CNN analyst Anderson Cooper, “ We will remember.” Sam RJHS ‘20

“We keep hearing about other ones like Sandy Hook and Columbine and how these tragedies keep on occurring and how politicians talk about change but they really just politicize the issue of gun control and blame the other party. So every time we talk about change everything gets caught up in the political system and nothing really happens and that affects students like us.” Hayes RJHS ‘18

“I think that if we were to arm teachers, then we would be able to prevent more school shootings, because if the students knows that the teachers are armed, they would not even attempt to attack the students because they would be shut down very fast.”

Josh RJHS ‘19

“America is an incredibly unique country when it comes to firearms. adIttoispeople Devin Kelley, Church Shoo ter protected and a forone of like three nations thatthe hasTexas the right to bear arms mer member of the Air Force who was convicted of doin its constitution. Our Second Amendment is one of the United States’ founding andaaweapon vast majority of gunhis owners in mestic abuse, toprinciples, purchase despite deranged the US assume the responsibility of owning a firearm. However, history. Even after the calls of citizens to invest more in even though many of its gun-owning citizens respect the law and these systems, state and federal lives of their fellow man, America hasrepresentatives, a problem with gun whose violence. campaigns haveHook been funded bythere the have increasingly-polarizSince the Sandy attack in 2012, been over 1,600 mass shootings (shootings in which or more were shot). ing NRA, cannot summon the four decency topeople represent their These shootings have led to the deaths of nearly 1,900 people and constituents. the wounding of over 6,500. Many of these mass shootings, such So, answer?

Firsthave of brought all, thegreat “common as what the oneisinthe Parkland, Florida, publicitysense” to the debate of gun that control. mass debated shootings are part of the issue. gun reforms areBut being in only Congress, such In 2013 alone, America had 11,208 isolated firearm homicides, as banning the bump-stock loophole and increasing the translating to roughly 30 homicides per million people in the United age restriction on owning a tactical rifle to 21, should be States, the highest rate in the western world. The second highest was supported. if America wants long-term reform, Switzerland,But, with roughly eight homicides per milliongun people.

How can we solve these firearms issues?

Many people believe the answer is in the elections. Write Congressmen,that voice the system of background checksand, will not solve andin your opinions to the NRA, most ofthe all,problem, turn out some are even calling for a ban of all firearms. But have we invested the pollsinand voting boxes. doesNo; notrather, create enough the background checkComplacency system to see it work? change. we have let it fall into the pitfall of government administration: bureaucracy. State governments, the federal government, and branches of the military are not required to share legal information concerning background checks. This faulty system can lead to people like Devin Kelley, the Texas Church Shooter and a former member of the Air Force who was convicted of domestic abuse, to purchase a weapon despite his deranged history. Even after the calls of citizens to invest more in these systems, state and federal representatives, whose campaigns have been funded by the increasingly-polarizing NRA, cannot summon the decency to represent their constituents.

So, what is the answer? First of all, the “common sense” gun reforms that are being debated in Congress, such as banning the bump-stock loophole and increasing the age restriction on owning a tactical rifle to 21, should be supported. But, if America wants long-term gun reform, the answer is in the elections. Write Congressmen, voice your opinions to the NRA, and, most of all, turn out in the polls and voting boxes. Complacency does not create change.” Ryan RJHS ‘20

“It is impossible to know what the best option is, more guns or less guns. I was intrigued upon learning that one school made the decision to arm its teachers with guns. A poll of one class showed that all the students felt more comfortable knowing their teacher carried a gun. I personally think the more firearms carried by responsible citizens, the less likely anyone would attempt a shooting. However, it is unethical to experiment with people’s lives like that. Perhaps gun laws aren’t the answer and we need to study the minds of these kids who obviously have severe problems.” Drew RJHS ‘19

21

#NEVERAGAIN GUN VIOLENCE SECURE DOORS SOCIAL MEDIA MEDICATION

LOVE FBI NRA STUDENT JOURNALISTS FAITH VICTIM STORIES PURCHASE LAWS

“In the entirety of my 17 years living in the United States of America, gun violence has always been in the background of my experience.

Like the ambient noise of an air conditioner, I was aware of the fact that the violence was present, I could really see it if I listened in well enough, but besides that I tuned out its omnipresent hum and focused on my daily life. Growing up in the shadows of Denver in the suburbs, I was never close enough to the source of the sound to experience its deadly and destructive powers. Slowly but surely, the volume has increased. Shooting by shooting, decibel by decibel, the quiet hum has transformed before me into a blaring alarm. My friends sister sat in the theater where James Holmes wreaked havoc, killing twelve people. My uncle operated on victims and the noise was brought into my backyard. Before I thought that guns were other people’s problems and if I didn’t go chasing trouble, I wouldn’t be looking down the barrel of the gun. I had stepped into the “real” world and began to understand the reality in which I would be forced to live in for the rest of my life thus far. In this reality, the length of my life may not be determined by me, but by a unstable individual who has somehow found their finger on the trigger. With my eyes finally opened, I found out that my aunt hid under her desk in the Sunnyvale shooting in California where 8 people lost their lives. I began to look back at the Columbine shooting where 13 unsuspecting students left to go to school one morning and never returned. Sandy Hook, Arapahoe, Pulse, Mandalay Bay, and now Stoneman Douglas follow. The noise is blaring louder than ever, demanding our attention and calling us as a nation to change, yet our legislators decide to put in ear plugs and remain static. We are human and do deserve time to gather ourselves and mourn the loss of our fellow countrymen but as a people we are crying for help. Mothers are crying for their sons back. Students are left walking in hallways that are haunted by the absence of the peers. We cannot change the past, but we can change the present. While we cannot reunite mother and son, we can make changes in an effort to protect the lives that have not been lost.

As students, we are told that we have a voice. That we have safe2tell and counselors and a government that will listen to us if we have concerns. Stoneman Douglas has shown me that if I want change, I cannot rely on “responsible” adults in positions of power, many of whom have tuned out the blaring alarm, to ensure my safety and security.

Legislators continue to remain static and while we sit waiting for the next shooting to happen, we slowly tune out the blaring alarm until it becomes as ambient as the air conditioner once was. Insanity is defined as doing the same action repeatedly and expecting a different outcome. While I will choose to believe the goodness lies at the core of all individuals, we cannot hope for violence to miraculously cease without any action on the end of the government.” Erin RJHS ‘19

Spring 2018| Vol 3 Issue 2

SAFTEY

“It is a popular debate right now that arming teachers with guns would help reduce the chances and the severity of a school shooting if it were to happen. In my opinion, this idea is implausible. I agree that, if handled correctly, a teacher could help if they had a gun but the problem is that many teachers wouldn’t be able to use it correctly. Having a gun in a classroom is a large responsibility and the training that would be required to train every teacher would be expensive and many schools already have a tight budget. Teachers shouldn’t have to know how to work a gun to teach students about algebra. Some teachers are also physically incapable of using a firearm. Many teachers are of older age and a small percentage have a disability that could prevent them from using a gun properly. I do agree that there should be something in place so that teachers can help when a school shooter is in the building but I don’t believe that the answer is putting guns in classrooms.” Grace RJHS ‘20

“This is NOT a gun problem, this is a lack of respect for human life problem, a lack of discipline problem, a cultural problem, or maybe even a mental health problem, but this is NOT a gun problem.”

Austin RJHS ‘18

“As far as violence in schools - my elementary/middle school had two bomb threats and a large amount of drugs that went from student to student. A very close friend of mine lost her cousin to the shooting in Florida and that Friday a best friend, who I’ve known for nine years, was seconds away from having a shooting at her school.

I am a strong advocate for mental health because it is something very prevelant in society and teens today that is rarely talked about. I hope to go into child and teen psychology during collage then work as a therapist for them as well. We shouldn’t be ashamed to talk about something that one in every four people struggle with.” - Lily RJHS ‘20

“I wouldn’t feel any safer if we had armed security, I just feel like that would be fighting fire with fire.” Nana RJHS ‘19

“The answer to tragedies like Stoneman Douglas and school safety is a sticky one, but once again very straightforward. I believe the answer isn’t simply banning guns or arming security guards, that has some benefit, but not the full solution. The solution is respecting human life. No one should have or has the authority to say who gets to live or die. But, it is when we don’t see each other as human beings. It’s not the guns fault someone died, it’s the human being using the gun to kill another human. So the answer to this problem is: respect human life and help those who are hurting mentally or physically.” Matthew RJHS ‘18

“Recently, President Trump has shown support for arming teachers.

This is not the answer. Teachers could get mad and threaten students with a gun, and then that could be normalized and accepted if guns were allowed in the classroom. Additionally, if there was any sort of intruder in a school and all of the teachers already had their guns out once the police entered, it is almost ensured that there would be additional casualties because the police wouldn’t know who the intruder was and possibly start shooting everyone they see with a firearm. Arming teachers puts everyone in danger.” Julia RJHS ‘21

“I think more security, like getting in and out of the school would be better because I know at my school we kinds just go in any door we want. And I’d feel more comfortable if they kind of looked more into who went in and out.” Jackson Castle View

“There should be more gun regulations. The government should have tougher procedures to getting a gun and have more requirements to getting a gun. The U.S. should take notes on other countries, because they have restricted laws

“The overreaction of wholesale laws against all gun ownership will lead to less violent crime is similar to arguing that the “War on Drugs” has eliminated drug abuse. The arguments in favor of banning all guns ignore a glaring fact that the myriad of laws and ethics against murder do not prevent school shootings any more than laws banning guns at school.

The Parkland tragedy is due to failures on multiple levels of Government. From the Sheriff ’s deputy hiding behind a pillar outside the school to the FBI and local police not acting on credible reports. Until the national and local governments can prove themselves competent in protecting the people, no reasonable debate about gun ownership can happen.

Many solutions being proposed by well-meaning gun control advocates are already in place. Since 1986 it has been illegal, except in incredibly rare instances, to own a fully automatic weapon. You already have to go through a background check to buy a gun if you buy it from a federally licensed dealer. Regardless, the mentally depraved Parkland shooter passed a background check as did other mass murderers. However, the FBI was notified at least three times that Cruz was bent on committing mass murder, they failed. The school, the local police, and the FBI all passed the buck. That must stop. The laws that need to be changed are those that prevent properly treating the mentally ill.

Arguments saying that gun ownership doesn’t decrease crime are also false. According to Phillip Cook and Jens Ludwig in Aiming for Evidence-Based Gun Policy, “Around 40 percent of prisoners in one survey indicated that they had decided against committing a crime… because they feared that the potential victim was carrying a gun.” Also, in the UK where gun ownership is heavily regulated, nearly 60% of all burglaries take place while someone is in the home, compared to only 27% in the US. Penalizing law-abiding citizens is not a way to stop gun violence.

Disarming law-abiding citizens does nothing to stop gun crime You don’t stop criminals from breaking laws by enacting more laws for them to break. Someone who is morally depraved enough to kill people indiscriminately isn’t going to stop killing because some law says they can’t own a gun. This tragedy should be the catalyst to finally get the federal and state governments to spend time and money on identifying the root cause of why some troubled person wants to commit mass murder.”

Caspar RJHS ‘18

and they have no mass shootings.” Vanessa F. WW

23

“I think that rather than analyzing types of firearms, we should simply make the process for obtaining one something more difficult.

However, I do believe that people with like they said in the thing varying mental disorders, or whatever, should still be allowed to have weapons.” Trinity Conifer

“I think the worst part is like I wasn’t even shocked that the shooting happened. It Was like that’s a normal thing in our country now and that’s heartbreaking and horrible that kids can go to school and not feel safe.” Katie RJHS ‘20

“Gun control will not solve America’s gun violence problem, it would simply be a band-aid, while the root of the violence lies in American culture. America as a nation was built on violence and violence permeates American culture, resulting in disproportional gun violence. For example, the United States has the highest guns per capita, with roughly 101 guns per 100 people (University of Sydney), dwarfing the next highest nation, Serbia, with 37.81 guns per 100 people. What shows the cultural aspect between the two nations is the homicide rate. Despite Serbia having roughly ⅓ the guns per capita the United State has, America’s homicides per capita are five times that of Serbia’s. The United States homicide and suicide rates tower over nations with similar wealth and development, and it comes from the violence of American culture.

It’s not simply a subculture such as video-games or violent films, or else we would see this trend in other Anglosphere nations. Violence in the United States is unique because of the American Empire and a refusal to see the reality of our actions. As a product of American culture, Hollywood films, TV shows, and digital media show violence as heroic, necessary, or a simple matter of good vs evil. Movies and television dramas almost unanimously depict, with films like Zero Dark Thirty, the US’s violence as justified without much questioning. Big budget Hollywood rarely focus on the victims of US actions, rarely focus on the 655,000 (Lancet estimate) excess Iraqi deaths in the Iraq War. Rarely focus on the 360,000 (Cost of War estimate) Afghans killed in the Afghanistan War. Rarely focus on violence done to our own citizens, such as our massive suicide rates compared to other nations, the massive prison population that is only barely lower than the prison population of China and Brazil combined.

This cultural milieu of acceptable violence as a justified means to an end against an “other” contributes to the US’s gun violence problem. It’s no coincidence many of these school shooters have had previous issues with violent behavior and have dehumanized their targets, further compounded by America’s dismal healthcare system. If the US wants to tackle the cultural issues which cause disproportional gun violence, it has to be forced to confront victims of its violence, whether through media or schools or one’s own research.” - Hans RJHS ‘18

Spring 2018| Vol 3 Issue 2

“When Australia had a problem with guns they created restricted gun laws and they haven’t had a mass shooting since. The U.S. should take some notes.”

Fatoumata, California

“Creo sinceramente que no son realmente necesarios, no son algo que visualmente sea algo positivo y menos para niños. Y de los asesinatos en las escuelas, es increíblemente difícil por qué la persona que los lleva a cabo en serio debe de tener un problema severo como para matar gente sin una razón, y aunque la tuviera ninguna es lo suficientemente válida como para quitar una vida humana.”

- Pau Instituto de Ciencias ‘19

I feel that it’s important that we recognize any differences in a person’s behavior before anything dangerous can come of it. It is important that friends of people that might be acting differently see what they can do to help, or even go to see someone that can, such as an adult.

I feel that mental health plays a much more important role in recent shootings than guns do. I think that it is much easier to hide guns than your issues and pain.”

Max RJHS ‘18

“We need to make our gun laws stricter, and I think our president should stop accepting money from the NRA because a lot of the weapons people use in mass shootings are rifles.” Noemie RHJS ‘21

“Gun violence is a problem that needs to be stopped, but a bigger issue in today’s political battlefield are the opposing beliefs in how to solve this issue. While one side calls for elimination or reduction of guns sales and increased gun regulation, the other side calls for teachers to be allowed to have guns in order to protect their students. Personally, I believe that increased gun regulation is necessary, but that’s just like Prohibition. Stopping or trying to eliminate guns sales would not work in the long term.”

Alicia M, Georgia

WE ARE REGIS JESUIT DAILY MASS LUNCHTIME M-Th ROTATES CHAPELS

FRIDAY MORNING MASS BD CHAPEL & FIRST FRIDAY OF MONTH COMMUNITY MASS IN GD CHAPEL

PRAYER JOURNEY & RECONCILIATION TALK TO ONE OF YOUR JESUITS

25

Spotlight:

Jesuits

Father Goeke, SJ and Mr. Serrano, SJ

Story by Hunter Dobbs ‘20 Photos by Lucas Fraizer ‘20

Fr. Jim Goeke, SJ

Last year, our Jesuit superior for the Central and Southern Province, Fr. Ron Mercier, was faced with a problem: how would the Jesuit apostolates stay true to their Ignatian heritage with the number of Jesuits slowly declining? This problem was translated down to our Regis Jesuit Ignatian Identity subcommittee. The chair of the subcommittee, Fr. Tom Rochford ‘64, says the school will undoubtedly have to make some changes because there will not be enough priests to administer all the sacraments our school offers, but our school will continue to have a strong and prominent Ignatian identity.

Luckily for us, we have two new additions to our family: Fr. James (Jim) Goeke, SJ. and Mr. Aric Serrano, SJ.

“One of my main goals is to bring the community closer to Jesus.”

- Father Jim Goeke, SJ Spring 2018| Vol 3 Issue 2

Father Jim Goeke, SJ, a new addition to our Regis Jesuit High School family, is a girls division mathematics teacher, and our new Jesuit superior whose one goal is, “to bring the community closer to Jesus,” as he says.

Father Goeke grew up in a Catholic family where priests were valued; this helped lead him to becoming a Jesuit. The one thing that truly gave him the extra shove into entering a life of serving others and helping the poor and marginalized was attending a Jesuit high school.

Father Goeke was accepted as a Jesuit novice at nineteen years old; the years leading up to his decision to become a Jesuit were life changing.

Father Goeke, in high school, would describe himself as a “mostly a pretty compliant kid who took school pretty seriously; I wanted to make good grades and all.”

As for sports during high school, Father Goeke said, “I ran cross country and track; I really was just a hard working kid. I also did work study or work grant as you call it.”

“I didn’t really think too much [past] high school,” he says.

Father Goeke still had to deal with some of the problems that many of us teens deal with today. But, Father Goeke had a very important and influential mentor enter his life.

“This teacher,” he says, “was a really important mentor in my life, whom pointed me towards teaching.”

Father Goeke was always captivated by math. With the help and guidance of a very influential teacher at St. Louis U. High, his new found love for teaching, and his Catholic background, he said, “it was kind of natural to look at the Jesuits.”

At the age of nineteen years old, Father Goeke entered into the Society of Jesus as a young novice.

His parents did not clearly support or protest his decision on becoming a Jesuit, but, “I got a letter from them one day saying that they supported my decision and were always there for me,” he said clearly remembering the day. “It felt good to see that they were always behind my decision, whatever it may have been.”

During Father Goeke’s Jesuit ministry before coming to Regis, he mainly worked outside of Jesuit schools as a novice director, a hospital Chaplain, and in retreat ministry.

Having not been in a classroom atmosphere in twenty seven years, Father Goeke says that, “with all the new technology and the new language, it had made it hard for me to connect with the students in today’s classroom.”

But “luckily,” he says, “everyone here has been so welcoming and helpful, the sense of community has made me feel welcome.”

Mr. Aric Serrano, SJ

A Jesuit in formation, serving Regis Jesuit for the next three years, Mr. Aric Serrano, SJ, says, “I was a quiet kid in high school, but becoming a part of band and playing the euphonium brought me out of that shell.”

Serrano attended Clayton High School in New Mexico, where he ran track.

“I was horrible; I just did it because all my friends did it and I complained every practice, I was surprised I wasn’t kicked off the team,” he says.

Serrano was an undergrad at Fordham. “I did the whole normal college thing of going to class, going to parties, doing, you know, things I probably shouldn’t have been doing,” but, he says, “there was still something pulling me to become a priest, specifically a Jesuit.”

Serrano eventually decided to enter the Society of Jesus. “I read the lives of St. Ignatius and St. Francis Xavier, and I was really inspired by them, especially St. Francis, going off and bringing God to people and talking about Jesus. I was really inspired by the missionary work that the society was doing. I also had an aunt who was a Carmelite nun, and she encouraged me to discern with the Jesuits,” he said.

His family was “surprised,” when he decided to join the Jesuits, he said, but nonetheless, they supported him throughout.

All through his Jesuit experience, Mr. Serrano has obtained a go-to Bible passage, Psalm 139.

This has been his go-to Bible passage, “because it talks about God knowing me intimately, God loving me for who I am, for me it’s always a go-to, I always start a retreat with that verse,” he says.

During his Jesuit pilgrimage, Serrano says his experience was, “scary in the beginning.”

He is given a bus ticket to Flint, Michigan, five dollars, and a goal to make it up to St. Ignace on the upper peninsula and see where Jacque Marquette, a Jesuit missionary who worked with many Native American groups, was buried.

Serrano says with a smile, “My bus ticket was from Kansas City to Flint, Michigan, and I spent my five dollars in St. Louis at a KFC to eat and I had no money and no food after that.”

He gets off the bus at Flint, Michigan and describes this once in a lifetime experience. “I don’t have any money, I don’t know anybody, I have no place to stay tonight, I only know where I’m going. That’s just frightening.”

When got off the bus, Serrano started asking people where the nearest Catholic Church was. He found an Augustinian parish and pastor who took in Serrano and let him stay till he found out how to get to the upper peninsula. Eventually, the pastor gave him the money to get the train ticket.

Serrano says, “I got up there at one o’clock in the morning.”

Sadly for Serrano, it is February in Michigan and, “it’s just snowing, everywhere,” Serrano says.

Serrano walks out of the bus terminal and realizes, “I have no place to stay,” he says.

“So,” Serrano explains, “I walked to this hotel and I said to the lady, I don’t have any money and I don’t have anyone to stay with, can I just sit and sleep here in the lobby till the sun comes up. She let me stay.”

The next morning, he sets out to look for the nearest Church. Serrano finds the Church and sits down in the congregation. It is a daily mass; there are only about fifteen other people in the congregation; the Priest notices Serrano and says to the congregation, “Do we have a Jesuit novice here with us?”

“Oh, that’s me,” Serrano says. “I looked really unkempt, I was the youngest guy in that Church. I was young and I was disheveled, and the Priest called me up to the front and told everyone that this is a Jesuit novice.”

The Priest tells the congregation that Serrano would be staying with them for a couple days, “but, could someone please take him out to eat, he’s starving!”

The people at the parish were, “super, super nice,” Serrano says.

“I found Jacque Marquette’s grave, it was a phenomenal experience, scary at first, but you realize God is leading you to a place for a particular point and purpose; it was just amazing,” he says with a smile on his face.

Before coming to Regis, Mr. Serrano went to Fordham University in New York City, New York.

“I really love New York City; you can spend years there and never do the same thing twice. I lived there for three years,” he says.

“I played in a Jesuit softball team at Fordham University; I played right field, I wasn’t that good, but it was still fun playing with friends who were brother Jesuits,” Mr. Serrano says.

As for what Serrano says he does in his free time, “I mainly read just theology books, it captures my interest, especially as being a Jesuit, the unanswered questions: who is God, who is Jesus, those questions are intimately related to who am I. The more I learn about Jesus, the more I learn about who I am and what I am called to do.”

Like Father Goeke, Serrano says, “everyone has been very friendly and welcoming here.”

Mr. Serrano is undoubtedly going to be a very friendly and prominent face in the Regis Jesuit family.

“The more I learn about Jesus, the more I learn about who I- Mr am. ” Aric Serrano, SJ 27

OUTSTANDING ATHLETES

Shane Ott Senior Hockey Pro Photos and Story by: Elliot Steinberg ‘18

Spring 2018| Vol 3 Issue 2

In order to be one of the best hockey players in the state, it takes a significant amount of practice, a hint of luck, and a drop of natural talent. Senior Shane Ott has done it all. Shane won All-State Honorable Mention last season and achieved the position of leading scorer on the Regis Jesuit Hockey team.

Outstanding athletes are not just made out of awards; they are made out of character. “He’s a quiet leader, but he makes sure that he does everything he can to be the best he can for the team.

He leads by example on and off

the ice,” said Head Hockey Coach Mr.Dan Woodley.

Time management is something that many student athletes have a problem dealing with, but Shane has done more than keeping his grades up, playing hockey to the best of his ability, and helping lead the team to greatness. “He is dedicated to both the team and the sport, as well as knowing what is best for the team, and the goals to get to the top,” Woodley said.

Shane keeps a certain level of modesty within him. He does not take the credit, which he

could easily claim for victories.

“I held the position of assistant captain last year. Winning was great, but I deferred to my captains,” he said. For a teammate to take that responsibility is more than any captain could do. Being a reserved captain is a challenge, but Shane says “I can lead on the ice and lead the team to its goal.”

A leader is not always noticed for speeches or telling a team what to do, sometimes it is more about leading by example and work, which is exactly what Shane Ott does.

29

OUTSTANDING ATHLETES Jada Surrell-Norwood Sophomore Swimming Pro Photos and Story by: Elliot Steinberg ‘18

Spring 2018| Vol 3 Issue 2

Athletes can be trained to go fast or work hard, but something that cannot be trained is the drive and the willingness to win. Jada Surrell-Norwood has this drive and willingness to win in every race.

“Jada somehow finds that next gear and drives to the wall, and that isn’t something you can train as a coach,” said Swim and Dive Head Coach Nick Frasersmith.

No matter the race, no matter how tired Jada is, she can always find that next level to go that extra mile, or, in her case, that extra fifteen meters.

There’s no feeling like the

adrenaline a swimmer gets as they step up to the block.

“When the buzzer goes off,” Jada explained, “I have a huge rush of adrenaline, and all I say to myself is: ‘you’re almost there, just make it to the wall.”

This drive doesn’t change at any meet, no matter big or small, which shows her love for the sport.

The energy and excitement she puts out at each meet gives her teammates that same drive. With the leadership and passion for swimming Jada gives off, the team can be lead to greatness. Jada is a born swimmer with more natural talent

than most, and she uses that to the fullest. “Every day in practice, she puts in 100%. She truly works hard on the little things that she needs to change,” said Coach Frasersmith.

“I love this team, and I would do anything for them,” said Jada. That is why she puts her one hundred percent into everything she does in the pool, not only for her own gain but for the greatness of the team.

31

Entertainment Prodigy

Prodigy, one of the rappers in the infamous rap duo Mobb Deep, sadly passed away on June 20 of 2017.

He is revered as one of the pioneers of the NY rap scene.

Daniel

Caesar

Daniel Caesar, a Toronto-born artist, is making waves across Soul and R&B. With a smooth voice and chilling acoustics, he provides something that many artists haven’t provided in a long time: effortless vocals.

Although he is relatively new in the mainstream, he is only growing bigger and bigger. He recently released his newest album Freudian in August, 2017.

Caesar was already on the rise before this, though, with his double single including the songs Japanese Denim and Get You.

Review by: Michael Gaessler ‘18

Spring 2018| Vol 3 Issue 2

2017 has been a year of many sad death in the music industry. From David Bowie to Prince, many culture-altering musicians have passed.

Prodigy, born Albert Johnson in Long Island, New York, was a member of Mobb Deep. The rap duo went on to release many critically acclaimed albums, one being The Infamous (1995).

Nas released his influential album Illmatic a year before Mobb Deep’s initial success, both

Syre is Jaden Smith’s debut album. It features grand and beautiful instrumental production especially on the opening four part song, “Blue.” On the first listen, Syre feels like a monumental project especially for a new artist like Jaden, but, on revisiting this album it falls flat.

This is mostly because of his performance. His lyrics are

of whom added important elements to the New York rap scene. Mobb Deep ran with this sound, and brought it to new popularity.

Prodigy was influential in many other ways as well, one being hip hop’s obsession with the Illuminati.

Overall, Prodi-

gy inspired and influenced hip hop whether we know it or not.

By Nick Faber ‘18

inconsistent and he doesn’t execute on creating an emotional experience. It simply lacks substance.

Jaden Smith can’t seem to find his voice as he jumps from topic to topic, from race to bragging about being an “icon.”

Jaden Smith’s Syre is an ambitious project that simply does not execute on its lofty goals of being profound and impactful.

Music and Culture What Do You Do If You’re Out Of Music To Listen To?

By Eli Harvey ‘19

Running out of music to listen to sucks, especially when you need to pump yourself up, or want to try something new. So how do you find new music to listen to?

The easiest thing to do is to go on Spotify and click on a category that you’re not familiar with. For example, if you’ve only listened to country music your whole life, look into R&B! If you’ve only listened to R&B, try to find a few pop songs, and so on and so forth.

But what if that doesn’t work? Think about your favorite movie and look up the soundtrack for it. Having music that you have a positive connotation to will make you like the song more, or, at the very least, having music that you enjoyed in the movie will brighten your mood and will make you want to listen to it even more.

If all else fails, then go back to old playlists and old songs.

Saturation III BROCKHAMPTON

As the final installment in the Saturation trilogy, Saturation III showcases Brockhampton’s raw talent, group chemistry, and excellent production. Starting as a self proclaimed “boy band,” the crew of 14 has grown from their humble beginnings on KanyeToThe forum to become a premier rap group.

The album begins with an abstract yet funky track: “BOOGIE.” Although the verses are not as well-developed as those later in the record, the complex rhythms and flow create a strong intro.

The third track of the album, “JOHNNY” combines creative verses, flawless trading, a complex beat, and horn backing, making for an abstract experience. The trading of verses between artists allows for the song to feature a wide range of human emotions, as each member adds a unique parable to the story.

On the sixth song of the album, the group moves into the louder, more controversial, yet powerful track: “STUPID.” The song takes on issues of race, sexuality, and social oppression to a light beat.

Reviewed by: Ryan Tierney ‘20

None of the songs provide an experience quite like “SISTER/ NATION. In six minutes, “BROCKHAMPTON” provide sections of deeply personal verses tied together with seamless beat changes and abstract choruses. This song provides a powerful experience for those with open ears and an open mind.

All in all, Saturation III keeps with the spontaneous, youthful feel of “BROCKHAMPTON”’s previous albums. However, it is the most mature album they have produced. The production quality is impeccable and compliments the unique talents of each member of the group. The transitions are smooth, and the content is powerful and insightful. With Saturation III, their third and final album of 2017, the members of this “boy band” have established themselves as men in the world of rap.

Top Songs: SISTER/NATION JOHNNY STUPID

How to be a

Human Being Glass Animals

Glass Animals’ second album was released in August, 2016. Although it was not released recently, it is still undoubtedly worth it to give it a listen. The band keeps the recognizable sound they established in their first album, ZABA. While ZABA contains more abstract lyrics and a smoother listen, this album keeps its lyrics clearer while also experimenting with a different sound. This album places its focus, as the title hints, exploring humanity. Each of the twelve songs on the record follows a different character on the album cover. Although the band has stated that the characters on the cover are up for interpretation, it’s not a difficult task to match each track with its character. Dave Bayley, the main singer and songwriter, is able to step into the shoes these of the characters by using detailed lyrics that lead you into their lives.

The record contains many hit tracks that went on the billboards, one being ‘The Other Side of Paradise’. This track beautifully explores the life that the famous, Nigerian basketball legend, Hakeem Olajuwon, left behind. One of the most interesting tracks has to be the thirty-eight second interlude rap, (entitled ‘Premade Sandwiches’). This track examines the excessive amounts of unnecessary consumption that humans have adapted to. ‘Pork Soda’, however, is the staple track of the album. The leading hook in the song has an interesting choice of words. The lead singer has stated that he got the idea for the lyrics from walking on the street when he heard a homeless man mutter the words, “pineapples are in my head.” These words were ingeniously inserted into the track about a character slowly losing his mind. These among many other unique tracks is what make this album stand out. At the end of the album, there isn’t any clear message that is apparent throughout. However, it seems to work as it flutters through different genres while exploring humanity in its raw form.

Top Songs: The Other Side of Paradise Pork soda Reviewed by: Aidan Connolly

33

Music and Culture cont.

On Experiencing Experimentals Written by: Will Kosempel ‘19

While listening to music, our body and mind experience a roller coaster of emotions and sensations. According to a study called “The Sync Project,” emotions come from a process called mirroring. When we interpret stimuli from the world around us, our brain mirrors the information and creates emotions within us.

Human interaction, senses of danger, beauty, all bring emotion to our body. What’s amazing is that music has the same capacity as the tangible, sensory information that our brain receives to elicit emotion.

In many cases the music that teenagers listen to today bring up strong emotions. Popular music in any form can bring us to a myriad of powerful feelings and emotions. For example, smooth R&B albums can make us feel senti and affectionate. Classic twenty-first century albums such as Frank Ocean’s Channel Orange, Miguel’s Wildheart, and Bryson Tiller’s True to Self are some of the R&B masterpieces that bring us those powerful emotions. The clean style of music and pure talent of the artist brings about emotions of comfort and safety.

When we listen to music we also strive for excitement, Hip Hop and the up and coming genre of Trap are extremely influential in promoting excitement in music.

Artists like Kendrick Lamar, Kanye West, and Tyler, the Creator use intense beats and excellent bars to give the human brain a strong feeling of excitement. The bass-boosted sound from underground trap artists such as Lil Pump, Lil Uzi Vert, or 21 Savage doesn’t get the heart beating fast.

Excitement is essential to the music of our generation and our time.

So here’s my point.

While excitement and comfort are both extremely valuable emotions

Spring 2018| Vol 3 Issue 2

that are brought from music, I believe that equally valuable emotions are discomfort and unfamiliarity. Increased exposure to feelings of discomfort eventually brings about more acceptance and familiarity with things that are different. Discomfort is essential to progress unity. In issues of race, gender, and sexuality, discomfort is normal. Increased exposure to discomfort in difficult situations often times brings about positive outcomes and a better knowledge of the world. The key is to embrace your discomfort and look past the unfamiliarity.

This is why I urge you, the Regis Jesuit student, to listen to experimental music. Experimental music is music that pushes the boundaries of societal norms, music that sounds extremely different than what’s popular. Experimental music elicits a myriad of sensations and often a strong emotion of discomfort. When our brain interprets something that sounds incredibly different and foreign to what we’ve heard our entire lives, we feel uncomfortable, our unfamiliarity takes over and immediately makes judgments on the melody of sounds we here. Weird, Bad, Crazy, Whack, Horrible, and Bizarre are some of the adjectives that I’ve heard or used myself to describe the sounds of experimental music. But, once I looked past those quick judgments brought from unfamiliarity, I found the essence of the music, the pure discomfort it provided, and eventually the acceptance of a different sonic experience.

If you look past your original judgments and see past the unfamiliarity of the thing, you can become more accepting of anything. Music is a great place to start. Experimental music exists in almost every genre, whether you love the rhythm of hip hop, the

rush of rock and roll, the sultry smooth sound of R&B, or any other facet of a genre, an experimental style exists. Ever since third grade, I have been an avid fan of hip hop. I can remember listening to a Pandora radio station and hearing songs from The Black Eyed Peas, Outkast, Flo Rida, Eminem, and Lil Wayne. My first experience of experimental hip hop came about a year ago when after reading a review I decided to listen to the album Atrocity Exhibition by Danny Brown. After the first song I shut the music off, it sounded horrible, the beat was weird and the rapper’s voice made my ears cringe. I put the album behind me and continued to consume more traditional styles of hip hop. Almost eight months later I listened to the album again and finally understood its brilliance. I had a Twitter conversation with a friend who lives in Mexico, when we talked about the album I told him that I hated it but he told me that it was one of his favorite albums ever. I re-listened to it, struggled through my discomfort and found my love for the album.

I then opened myself to more experimental music and found that my new favorite genre of music

was experimental hip hop. This same experience can happen to anyone who really attempts to fight off judgments and expand their horizons to stuff that sounds weird and different.

Experimental music is awesome because it brings about discomfort, and discomfort brings about acceptance and a more interesting life. From one avid music-listener and RJ student to another, I urge you to get out of your comfort zone and try a new flavor of music. It may just shock your world and your brain completely.

My Top Experimental ....

Albums:

1.

2.

3.

4.

1. Atrocity Exhibition by Danny Brown 2. The Ooz by King Krule 3. Flying Microtonal Banana

by King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard 4. The Big Fish Theory by Vince Staples

TV & Movies ANTIQUE REVIEW

Thor Ragnarok

Murder

Roman

Let me just start by saying that Thor Ragnarok was a phenomenal film. It has raised the bar for superhero movies as a whole, between the fantastic character development that both very adequately addressed pre-established information as well as the introduction new concepts and positions of power for characters such as Thor and Loki. To introducing several new ideas for old characters and bringing in new characters taking us one step closer the pinnacle of the Marvel cinematic universe, Avengers Infinity War. I have to say, though, that one thing I didn’t like was the indecisive ending concerning a death. I would be remiss, however, if I didn’t mention the hilarious comedic relief as well as the beautiful design of the setting, characters, and special effects, let the alone the spot on acting from Chris Hemsworth, Cate Blanchett, Tom Hiddleston, and the rest of the cast. This movie is a must see.

Murder on the Orient Express was a surprisingly good film. The disposition of the main character, Hercule Poirot, was portrayed very well, making the audience connect to him on a very personal level, as well as providing more background and insight as to why and how he is such a great detective. Johnny Depp’s character, Ratchett, created a feeling of both disgust and enjoyment, drawing the audience into a state of interest and relation, all the while providing a defined antagonist. The ending, while great, was predictable. Some of the key information created the foundation of the final result of the film was just completely brought out of nowhere, very similar to introduction key information in the conclusion paragraph of an essay as well. The character development of Hercule was very fascinating and well done whilst the rest of the character had practically no development. Instead, we spend much of the movie learning about and diving into the background of the other characters. The acting in the film was high quality and the visual aspects of the film were well done.

Roman J. Israel, Esq. is a solid film with quality acting. Roman J. Israel, as portrayed by Denzel Washington, is a social rights activist, partner of a two man law firm, and a lawyer who has hidden in the shadows, letting others take credit for his work, all the while sacrificing his family and social life so that he can create a case that will permanently change the legal system. We see the protagonist and the plot take off as his partner dies, thus forcing him into the spotlight of the law firm, uncovering secrets about the firm.

Through the effects of this new information, the audience is privileged to witness Denzel Washington’s masterful performance as he takes on a role unlike any other in his past. However, this film struggled to make a memorable entity of its own. Overall, it was a quality production that was missing a few key elements to make it extraordinary.

on the Orient Express

4.7/5

J. Israel, Esq.

3.8/5

The Room

If you haven’t seen this movie yet, go see it now. Regularly called the worst movie of all time, Tommy Wiseau directed, wrote, produced, and starred in The Room to create one of the most unique and interesting cinema experiences ever seen. Everything about this movie is fantastic... or fantastically terrible. For example, the background music doesn’t fit, yet it adds an essential part of setting to the rather curious tone of the movie.

Or how the acting isn’t stellar, to say the least, but through these unbelievable portrayals, we get a new way of seeing a character.

Besides this and other ailments to the quality of the production, it has developed a strong cult following similar to franchises like Star Wars.But don’t be fooled, this movie is still one of the worst of all time. If you have 99 minutes to kill... flip a coin as to whether or not you want to put yourself through a little bit of torture.

4.1/5

4.2/5 Reviewed by: Alex Zoellner ‘19

Reviewed by: Nick Faber ‘18

35

OP-ED Dear Mr. President, One Story Is Enough.

Ruth Woldemedhine ‘21

From the once beloved Today Show host and journalist Matt Lauer to Rep. John Coyers, allegations of sexual assault against women have come to light. Men from all types of backgrounds in the public eye have had many cases of sexual assault come out since the recent case of Harvey Weinstein, the movie mogul.

Although these cases have been brought up and covered on the news, as a nation, we have failed to keep these stories as a current topic and have stopped mentioning them as soon as a new story comes. At least, up until recently. Since the case of Harvey Weinstein blew up in early October, over thirty women have came out against the movie mogul himself. Since then, TIME magazine found that 86 men have been accused of sexual assault. Of these 86 men, NBC news found at least 6 of them to be politicians. These men are Rep. Trent Franks, R-Ariz, Rep. Ruben Kihuen, D-Nev, Rep. Blake Farenthold, R-Texas, Rep. John Conyers Jr., the longest-serving active congressman and a founder of the Congressional Black Caucus, D-Michigan, Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., and Roy Moore, who’s running as a Republican for a seat in the Senate for Alabama.

From these men, Rep. Franks, Rep. Conyers and Rep. Al Franken have stepped down. Of the remaining democrat senators, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi has called Rep. Kihuen to step down. Mitch McConnell has made no comment about Rep. Farenthold and seems to not be very concerned about the case of Roy Moore, although he has promised that an ethics investigation will be conducted if Roy Moore was elected.

On October 7, 2016, an Access Hollywood tape came out in which Donald Trump bragged about sexual assault. The Spring 2018| Vol 3 Issue 2

video was recorded in September of 2005 at NBC Studios. In the video, he bragged about how “when you’re a star,” women let men “do anything.” That day, I thought that he would drop out.

Sixteen women have come out to accuse him of sexual misconduct, yet here we are, one year into this man’s presidency.

He has since denied these allegations. Recently, a tidal wave of sexual assault, abuse, harassment, misconduct and rape allegations have come out against what is usually men in a position of power.

These women have come out against men at full forces, because although they were once afraid, they’re not anymore.

In response to these recent accusations, Donald Trump remarked to reporters on November 21, 2017, “Women are very special. I think it’s a very special time, a lot of things are coming out and I think that’s good for our society and I think it’s very, very good for women and I’m very happy a lot of these things are coming out.

I’m very happy it’s being exposed.”

Yet I wonder, if Donald Trump supports these women, why are the allegations to come out against him false, as well as the allegations of the women who accused Roy Moore.

In my letter, I call you out specifically Mr. President, not because of my liberal bias, but because of your conservative bias. Through all the cases I have heard, I have chosen to believe the women over the men, and you say you do too, but yet, you don’t.

Over six women ranging from the age of fourteen to twenty-eight years old have come out and accused Roy Moore of sexual abuse and misconduct. Although many of these cases happened in the early ‘70s, it doesn’t make it any less painful to

them. Time is not a healer of all things.

Around this time period, women were still not truly viewed as equals. This is something dealt with to this day. In the ‘90s, when the scandal of Bill Clinton came out, Monica was slut-shamed and fired, while Bill Clinton lied to the nation and stayed president. Mr. Trump, you yourself have come out in support of Roy Moore and have even gone on to say that these women were lying.

Hypocrisy is a very dangerous thing, and you seem to be crossing that line like it’s a finish line.

Despite this overwhelming evidence, you, Mr. President, have still chosen to support this man and bash the Democrats who have also had sexual harassment charges handed to them. You told reporters, “He says it didn’t happen. You have to listen to him, also.” Rape isn’t politics. By standing there in support of Roy Moore, you are standing not only against his accusers, but every other woman and man who has accused a man or woman of sexual assault, abuse, misconduct, etc.

By saying it’s okay for one sexual predator to commit these crimes, you, Mr. President, are making it okay for every sexual predator to commit these crimes. I urge you to stand against rape, just as your fellow Americans have chosen to stand against it as well. If you think that these recent allegations being revealed are good for our country, society and women, stick with these words. Stick with these women.

If you are a man of your word, stick with your words. Although our views on certain things sit on two totally different spectrums, I urge you to stand in unwavering support for all the women and men who have accused others of sexual assault, so that as a country, we can come together against these horrific acts being committed and stop the sexual predators.

The Rowdy Life MJ DiMuro ‘18 and Jack Schiavone ‘18 On a seemingly normal Friday at the end of the year, the Rowdy list is posted outside of the Hub. There is a rush to go see who made it and who got cut, and even those who didn’t apply are curious as to see who these leaders of the school will be. This is the day work starts for the Rowdies.

We are sent the date for the Rowdy Retreat and some of us cancel trips that our families have planned.

The retreat is training for the task ahead. We begin by taking hours of CHSAA courses on Sportsmanship, Creating a Safe and Respectful Environment, and Social Media. We then go over some of the harder situations we are placed in by fans. Negative cheers, safety risks, and students making bad decisions are all situations that are hard to get right, but we must get them right. We spend a lot of time practicing this with past Rowdies. We then move on to planning and prepping for the year of games ahead before the first pass is even thrown.

Taking so much responsibility involves a tight knit relationship with the administration. Our job could categorized as ‘pseudo-faculty’. The Rowdies partake in an hour-long meeting with Mr. Carruthers that includes a lot of dialogue that continues throughout the year. In order to make anything happen, a theme, an activity, a new cheer, we must climb through the likes of the school administration to clear it. Our first weekly meetings are a mad rush to plan out themes for the entirety of the football season. Now, we get to the physical part.

Rowdy workouts are not a joke. Still, we all find ourselves aerobically unprepared as we begin the first run through and every subsequent run through. I would recommend any future Rowdy with asthma to carry a rescue inhaler, I learned this the hard way. The Rowdies give it everything we can during the games. Whether there are two students in the stands or 200, we never fail to use the full extent of our physical capabilities as we strain our vocal cords until they fail to work. Our parents know all too well the hand signals we must use to communicate the morning after any game.

Rowdying is rewarding in itself. Although we sacrifice five or more hours of time every week of the year and we use all of the energy in our bodies, there is something about the roar of the crowd and the success of the team. None of us would trade our position for the world and even though we are reluctant to work, just as I was reluctant to take the time to write this, the results are always worth it.

37

OP-ED

Dear 2017, Beth Anne Richardson ‘20

2017. What a year. Seriously. I never thought so much could change in one year but here we are.

In certain ways 2017 was my best year, and in certain ways 2017 was my worst year. I learned so much. I learned that some things aren’t meant to be. I learned that the most beautiful things in life aren’t things, but moments and feelings. I learned that when someone hurts you so brutally, it usually isn’t about you. I learned that music, books, movies, quotes, and art have a way of expressing feelings and emotions that humans are incapable of doing. I learned that a dog kissing you so much that you can’t breathe can heal just about anything, at least momentarily. I learned that every single person is so beautiful, and quite frankly amazing, and it sucks when we can’t see that about ourselves. I learned that my mom is always right, even when I really wish she wasn’t. I learned that getting to know new people and being vulnerable in order to let others in can be scary, but also so refreshing at the same time. I learned who will always be in my life, and who never really was. And both sides know who they are. I learned that it is okay to mess up. I learned that it is so okay to fall completely head over heels for whom your heart desires. God knows I have.

I learned that it is okay to get your heart broken. I learned that it is okay to listen to your heart, but not to the point where you don’t even hear your head. And vise versa. I learned that people aren’t perfect. I learned that

Spring 2018| Vol 3 Issue 2

we all have different ways of thinking, so not everyone perceives life as you do. I learned that if someone is stupid enough to let you go, you have to be smart enough to walk away. I learned that if you truly want something, you will have to fight for it in order to achieve it. Nothing truly worth having comes easy. And this all may seem like common sense, but when you really think about all of this, it can be life changing. I learned that high school can be the best place and the worst place at the same time. But really you shouldn’t think too much about it, because it won’t matter in a few years anyway. I experienced some of the most beautiful moments that I will cherish forever, and that to me is kind of like magic. I’ve learned details about my life that have altered it forever, and I have no idea what I’m going to do. I now have a 3 week-old nephew, Liam, who is just about perfection and I wish he didn’t have to grow up in a world as dark as ours. But I also know that as dark as our world can get, it can also be the most magnificent place, so that’s where I’m hopeful. Because that’s the thing about hope, it’s the only thing stronger than fear. I learned that when you put your happiness in the hands of others, you’ll always be disappointed. I’ve learned that you cannot give too much of yourself to anyone, because the things we love hurt us every time.

I could go on forever, so I’ll just spare you now. But here we are. So close to 2018. My New Year’s Resolution is to

be the best version of myself possible.

I want to do at least one thing a day that scares me. I don’t want to be so quick to judge. I want to give every person that walks into my life a fair chance, despite everything I’ve heard.

Because I know what it’s like to be on the other side of that, and it sucks. I want to throw kindness around like confetti. I want to be a better daughter, sister, aunt, and friend. I always want to be honest with myself and everyone around me. I want to take risks, but I also don’t want to be plain stupid. I want to be the type of friend that I would want to have. I understand I am no where near perfect, and that is completely okay, because I’m doing me, and that is the only thing that matters.

So here’s to 2017, you truly have been incredible and have taught me so much. Cheers to the future and to 2018.

COME WRITE FOR US! RJ Media meets every Tuesday after school in the RJ Media lab (PAC 102). We are always looking for freelance writers, reporters, photographers, or anyone with fresh ideas. RJMedia is an open forum for all students.

Contact RJ Media at rjmedia@regisjesuit.com or in the RJ Media Lab (PAC-102). You can also find us on Twitter and Instagram @RJ_Media.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR - WE WANT TO HEAR Letters to the editor are welcome and encouraged, but will only be published if they are accompanied by a name and signature. Letters should be short and free of “bashing” or obscenity. Letters to the editor do not reflect the views of the RJ Media staff and will be marked on pages designated as such. The staff reserves the right to edit letters for potentially libelous material and length. The staff will not edit letters for punctuation, grammar and usage. Letters with issues will be returned to the submitter for further review.

Contact the RJ Media Editorial Board at rjmedia@regisjesuit.com or in the RJ Media Lab (PAC-102). You can also find us on Twitter and

e

RJMEDIANOW.COM YOUR HOME FOR STUDENT MEDIA 39

RJRadio

Nick Faber Podcast

Spring 2018| Vol 3 Issue 2