ELEVATE 3.3

WITH

Vol. 3 Issue 3 | Spring 2018 RJ MEDIA STUDENT MAGAZINE Regis Jesuit HS

- Fond Farewells - Bouncing Back: The Chris Layne Story

ELEVATE

SENSITIVITY, COMPASSION

RESPECT

We talk to Fr. James Martin, SJ about his book “Building a Bridge.” PG. 8

PLUS

Meet Mr. Tricco We interviewed RJ’s new PG. 24 principal

The Fire Within

The DJ Jackson Story PG. 34

RJ NATION

Hats off as the class of 2018 heads off to college

PG. 26

From the Mound Senior pitcher Matthew Boyd watches as his pitch makes it’s way towards home plate during an appearance as the starting pitcher against Rock Canyon on April 18. Boyd threw a complete game on the way to a 3-1 victory for the Raiders.

Photo by Dillion Marshall ‘19

Canon EOS REBEL T5i Canon EF-S 70200mm

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Fond Farewells PG. 14

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RJ Nation 2018 The graduating class of 2018 heads off to college for the next chapter. See where they’re going.

Fond Farewells

38

14

Whether it’s been 42 years or three, we say goodbye to some of RJ’s most memorable teachers and leaders.

Hockey Season Recap A recap of your Regis Jesuit Hockey team’s historic season

Meet Principal Tricco

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PG. 8

RJ Media spoke with our new principal Mr. Jimmy Tricco on the phone about coming to CO to help lead RJHS.

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The Next Chapter A look inside three seniors going on to do amazing things after their time at Regis Jesuit High School

The Fire Within

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A look inside the life of star Regis Jesuit football player and 2018 grad DJ Jackson.

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PG. 6 4 Spring 2018 | Vol 3 Issue 3

PG. 30

STAFF

ELEVATE MAGAZINE Connor Lyford ‘18........... Editor in Chief Patrick Koenigs ‘18.......Editor in Chief, RJmedianow.com Anastasia Conley ‘18, Olivia Ary ‘18, Leo McCabe ‘19, Nick Faber ‘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........Photography Editor Maddie Proctor, Joelle Macke, Sam Stern ‘20, Carina Morroni ‘20, Will Munro ‘20, Sam Stern ‘20, Chris Faber ‘20, Alex Zoellner ‘19, Ruth Woldemedhine ‘21, ........ 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!

OUR DOORS ARE ALWAYS OPEN COMMENTS, QUESTIONS, IDEAS?

COME AND SEE US IN THE RJ MEDIA LAB!

OR FIND US ON SOCIAL MEDIA

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 ‘20, Sam Stern ‘20, Jeron Johnson ‘20, Patrick Carlson ‘19, ..... Raider Sports Network Kate Phillips, Caroline Soro, Dillon Marshall, Drew Shively, Will Munro, ..... RJTV Mr. Adam Dawkins ‘98, Ms. Sara Hildreth, Ms. Maria Lynch ................. Advisers Bailey Whalen ‘20................... Cover Art

We’ve partnered with Publication Printers to completely offset our magazine’s paper consumption but “releafing” (replanting) trees around the globe. We have offset our consumption by reforesting 47 standard trees since partnering with Publication Printers.

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BOYS SWIM & DIVE

GIRLS GOLF

Senior captain Elijiah Warren and the Boys Swim & Dive team head into the state championship May 18 coming off an undefeated season.

Katie Berrian, Skylar Cain, Sarah McDevitt, and Emaan Adil qualified for the state gold championship at Boulder Country Club.

Here with Coach Martin & Coach Lorimor, Coach Rutenbeck

GIRLS TENNIS

GIRLS SOCCER

The girls tennis team sends five positions to the state championship. The team finished second at the regional

The Girls Soccer team on the bus ride home after defying the odds and beating no. 4 ranked Fruita Monument 2-1 in OT in the playoffs. They came in to that game ranked 29 in the state.

BOYS BASEBALL

Left to right: Owen Best, Jake Heimlicher, Tyler Gayle and Mark Perchiazzi with team mascot Kona after the win over Rock Canyon in April. The team heads to districts as this magazine goes to print. RJ Baseball’s freshman, sophomore and JV teams finished a combined 40-6.

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TRACK & FIELD

Hannah Davidson (left) and Luke Sletten (right) are part of the largest Track & Field team in RJ history which includes AJ Smallwood (400m, 200m) and school record-breakers Allison Stephens (Pole Vault - 9’ 7”), Zion Gordon (14.36 110 meter hurdles)

Regis Jesuit girls lacrosse team has overcome the odds this year and now head into the playoffs ranked fourth in the state.

“This season we have had so many outstanding players,” said sophomore Bella Ames, “but what has gotten us so far this year is thinking of our team being one.”

Sidney Weigand, a junior caption, has been ranked first on the team in goals and assists. Freshmen Cate Lord and Grace Weigand have both been ranked high in the state for draw controls. Sophomore Bella Ames and freshman Isabella Marchoil lead the defense in turnovers and ground balls.

“The word of our season is ‘one,’ and it has carried us a long way,” Bella Ames said.

‘20 efish e But i t a K s by: Photo

Six seniors will play college lacrosse: Mariah Daley( Sacred Heart U), Maya Fair (Kenyon U), Molly Moran (Notre Dame), Hannah Lester (Denison U), Tess Inhelder (Marquette), Ellie Corporon (CU Boulder).

Heading into playoffs the girls varsity lacrosse team is 13-2, ranked fourth in the state according to the RPI standings and earned a first round bye.

They play 13th ranked Aspen as this magazine goes to print.

This season the team has focused on ONE. Not one player and not being number one, but that it is ONE team and one unit. They believe in themselves and in each other.

Story: Isabella Marchiol & Erin McCormick ‘20

LAX POWER

Boys & Girls Lacrosse Soar into Playoffs

Sophomore defender Bella Ames looks for the ball during the Raiders 16-3 win over Valor Christan. Above: The team as ONE.

Greatness. Constant competition. Elite talent. The Boys Lacrosse team was able to muster up yet another successful season.

The Raiders consistently demonstrated a strong performance in just about every single game this season.

The team was led by a new “RJ three” in Reed Babcock, mega scorer Jake Taylor, and Anders Erickson. The three combined for a staggering 101 goals this season, going along with 50 assists.

They had a 25 man roster led by veteran coach, Jim Soran. The longest tenured RJ coach, Soran has continued to bring many successful seasons to the Raiders, including runner-up in last year’s state championship against the high powered Cherry Creek Bruins.

Freshman Molly McCarthy said, “we’ve been working together as a unit during the season, and we continue to show our dedication during practice and games.”

“During practice we are all working hard and focusing during the drills, but we still have fun and grow in our relationships with one another,” said freshman Regan Vandervelde.

Seniors Max Loyola and Grant Whittelsey celebrate after one of many Raider goals this season. The team was 15-0 in Colorado. Below: Senior Max Smith resets for the next live ball.

The Raiders finished off the regular season this year with a stifling 15-0 record in Colorado.

Senior goalie Brad Terry said, “We have a lot of really great leadership on our team this year. Our staff is absolutely unbelievable as well. Coach Soran understands what it means to be at Regis Jesuit.”

The wide range of talent this year has proved to show other teams in the state who has their sights on the trophy this year.

With RJ scoring 14 goals per game on average, this Raider offense becomes a line that cannot be contained.

With such a deep team, the Raiders never have to worry about who will come off the bench and give it everything in the

tank. After earning a first round bye, the Raiders head to the quarterfinal against Chaparral after a big 11-5 win against Legend in the second round of the playoffs.

Story: Sam Stern ‘20

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Fr. James Martin, SJ’s, Book “Building a Bridge” Opens Up Conversation on LGBT Community and the Catholic Church Story by Oliva Ary ‘18 and Alex Zoellner’19 Photography by: Olivia Ary ‘18

On June 13, 2017 Fr. James Martin S.J. published “Building a Bridge: How the Catholic Church and the LGBT Community Can Enter into a Relationship of Respect, Compassion, and Sensitivity,” partially in response to the Orlando nightclub shooting that took place in 2016. More specifically, he wrote in response to the lack of acknowledgment of the victims of the travesty by church leaders. This is in conjunction with his years of work with LGBT Catholics, their families, friends, and the “great divide” that he has witnessed between the Catholic Church and members of the LGBT community.

The subject matter of “Building a Bridge” is the relationships between LGBT people and the Catholic Church, and how to mend the relationships between the two. The three pillars of Martin’s model “bridge” are respect, compassion, and sensitivity.

By entering into relationships built on these three pillars, Martin says that the damage of the past and the current tension can be relieved. Fr. Martin, who was appointed by Pope Francis as the consultor to the Vatican’s Secretariat for Communications in April of 2017, believes that there is a need for an increase in the quality of treatment between people of the LGBT community, Church authority, or otherwise. “Building a Bridge” is a groundbreaking book that has received praise from many in the Catholic Church.

Cardinal Joseph Tobin stated that, “Martin’s inspiring new book invites church leaders to minister with more compassion and reminds LGBT Catholics that they are as much a part of our church as any other Catholic.”

But the book has yet to be accepted in all circles. Its release has impacted Martin’s involvement in many talks at universities and conferences around the country. One of these was at the Theological College, a seminary affiliated with Catholic University of America. Martin was dis-invited due to the school’s desire to avoid distraction and controversy. Many church officials, as well as the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States, issued statements of support for Martin after this incident.

The Jesuit Conference statement reads: “Fr. Martin is a meaningful voice in our Church both in the United States and throughout the world. His recent appointment as a consultant to the Vatican’s Secretariat for Communications affirms the power of his work, which is a tremendous tool for both preaching the Gospel and for evangelization.”

The tension lies in the differences of opinion regarding the interpretation of traditional church doctrine.

In an email interview with RJ Media, Fr. 8 Spring 2018 | Vol 3 Issue 3

In 2017, the NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author James Martin S.J. published more than just simply quality literature; he published truth, emotions, conversation, and controversy.

James Martin said that “Popes pronounce infallible statements only rarely. But that doesn’t mean the Church teaching has no authority over us. By the same token, doctrine develops, and has in many situations--slavery, relations with other religions, and so on.

So we need to be open to the development of doctrine, as Pope Francis recently stated when it came to the death penalty.”

Martin sees it as a healthy tension: following the Church teaching but also knowing that doctrine can develop​.

Martin’s ideas have not been taken entirely open heartedly. Some of the attacks on Martin have been even more malicious than a simple dis-invitation from a speech. An example of one of these attacks stems from Michael Voris. As a Catholic author, journalist, and apologist, Voris is the founder and president of Saint Michael’s Media. Voris, along with other members of Saint Michael’s Media, creates and publishes conservative, Catholic, radical programs addressing numerous issues, but the core belief of their work is that homosexual relations are sins of the utmost severity.

Fr. Martin responded in an email interview: “sadly, many of those websites are driven by sheer homophobia and hatred. It goes beyond simply promoting church teaching that opposes same-sex marriage and crosses into the realm of true hatred.”

However, it is not just the anti-gay, conservative groups and their leaders, such as Michael Voris, who are upset with Fr. James Martin and his message.

Some members and allies of the LGBT community are also upset with how little he actually says in both direct support of the LGBT and in opposition to groups who are anti-gay or homophobic.

It Takes Two To Build a Bridge

Fr. Martin writes that the most unifying idea for group mentality is the extreme feeling of whether one is “with them” or “against them.”

“The tendency from some on the far right to divide people into an ‘us’ and a ‘them’ is contrary to Jesus’s vision. It’s true that he (Jesus) said, ‘whoever is not with me is against me,’ but this was about people who obstinately ignored his message of love, mercy and forgiveness,” Martin said in an email interview.

“His ministry was not about excluding, but including. In other words, those who exclude are going against his message, because Jesus’s mission was all about creating a sense of ‘us,’ especially for those on the margins.”

For Martin, this ignorance of Jesus’ message is

continued on pg. 10

HEADER (CHANGE ON MASTER B)

BUILDING A

BRIDGE Respect.

Compassion.

Sensitivity.

“YOU’VE BEEN INVITED TO WALK ON A BRIDGE BUILT FROM THE THREE PILLARS OF THE 9 9

the key.

“That people cannot or will not see that today is, for me, a scandal,” he said.

Staying True to Our Values:

The values portion of Regis Jesuit’s mission and vision statement reads that “Regis Jesuit values a diverse community that cares for individuals who demand more of themselves intellectually, socially, emotionally, spiritually and creatively” and that “Regis Jesuit values an environment in which students feel safe, valued and respected as they develop a strong moral compass, overcome personal prejudices and connect to the broader world. Students find the motivation and confidence to make decisions rooted in faith.”

In fact, Fr. James Martin and other Jesuit leaders suggest that school is the ideal place to have this conversation. In an environment where students are pushed to challenge, discuss, and grow their knowledge the conceptual pillars of “Building a Bridge” can be realized: respect, com-

passion and the dialogue Martin refers to in his book is not always present in our wider society, but we must do better.

“If we go back to Martin’s kind of thesis of: respect, sensitivity, and compassion. There’s space for that, absolutely.

Do we need to be overt that this needs to be paid attention to [with regards to] the homosexual person? Yeah, yeah we do need to be overt about that. We need to be vocalized teachers and say ‘Yeah, you are to be compassionate, respectful, and sensitive to the homosexual person,” Ramirez says. He continues:

“Particularly, as there are probably homosexuals in the classroom. Or sitting in those steps, in those seats, in those desks. And so, I need to be compassionate to the kid sitting next to me, sensitive to the kid sitting next to me, respectful to the kid sitting next to me. That’s just the gospel.”

Note: Martin Explains, in his book, that his use of the term “LGBT” is not meant to exclude anyone. We share this view, as the term “LGBT” is used as it is the most common term used to define people of non-heterosexual orientation.

Fr. Martin’s “Prayer for When I feel Rejected” from “Building a Bridge”

“Fear can stop us, or it can motivate us.

What are we going to do? The fool says he is not scared, we need to talk about that first. Then we can begin to move towards courage.” passion, and sensitivity.

Boys Division Pastoral Director and Theology teacher Fr. Ramirez, SJ, believes that “the classroom offers itself as a real possibility, a real laboratory. Do we need to talk about other people, who are different than us? Absolutely, absolutely. That’s the only way our horizons are going to expand. And narrow horizons, that’s a miserable life. The classroom should be making us better human beings. One of the best ways to be a better human being is to look at other human beings.”

“It’s a conversation we should be having,” said RJHS President David Card ‘87, even though it tends to be uncomfortable and scary. “I’m not satisfied with the pastoral response that we’re prepared to give to kids who are identifying as gay or lesbian,” Card said.

“We must accept the fear,” Fr. Ramirez says. “Fear can stop us, or it can motivate us. What are we going to do?

The fool says he is not scared; we need to talk about that first.

Then we can begin to move towards courage.”

Fr. Ramirez says, as students and as a culture, if we “come into that conversation without that sense of goodwill [and it] is a failure. So I would only call students to have that sense of good will. That’s not our culture, our culture is suspicion. We need to be more. We need to be good willed toward the other person. They’re not out to get me.”

Card says that we should be “[trying to] take away the fear and [dealing] with the values that we know we all share.”

Fr. Ramirez says that making space for the com10 Spring 2018 | Vol 3 Issue 3

Loving God, You made me who I am.

I praise you and I love you, for I am wonderfully made, In your own image.

But when people make fun of me, I feel hurt and embarrassed and even ashamed.

So please, God, help me remember my own goodness, Which lies in you.

Help me remember my dignity, Which you gave me when I was conceived.

Help me remember that I can live a life of love, Because you created my heart.

Be with me when people make me feel “less than”, And help me to respond the way you would want me to, With a love that respects the other, but also respects me.

Help me find friends that love me for who I am.

Help me, most of all, to be a loving person.

And, God, help me remember that Jesus loves me.

For he too was seen as an outcast.

He too was misunderstood.

He too was beaten and spat upon.

Jesus understands me and loves me with a special love, because of the way you made me.

And when I am feeling lonely, Help me remember that Jesus welcomed everyone as a friend.

Jesus reminded everyone that God loved them.

Jesus encouraged everyone to embrace their dignity, Even when others were blind to that dignity.

Jesus loved everyone with the love that you gave him.

And he loves me too.

One more thing, God: Help me remember that nothing is impossible with you, That you have a way of making things better, That you can find a way of love for me, Even if I can’t see it right now.

Help me remember all these things in the heart you created, Loving God. Amen.

An Inner Voice

A Glance into the Introvert Personality Type

By: Olivia Bachmann ‘20

You may have heard of the expressions, “Color outside of the lines!” “Rise to the occasion!”

“Go big or go home!”- But what

if going home sounds more appealing? If you fall into this category, you might be what Myers and Briggs, the curators of personality types, consider an introvert.

According to Google, this personality type has the brand of being shy, self-absorbed, rude, unhappy, etc. But the “introvert” does not necessarily mean any of these connotations.

“Introverts get their energy by often reflecting a problem or a situation, and sometimes they turn discussions inward to be more thoughtful,” says Girls Division counselor, Mrs. Brown. For example, an introvert might prefer a one-onone interaction because it will be more in depth and present several opportunities to reflect. Because of this, research suggests that introverts have more brilliant ideas, but unfortunately, many of these contemplations are overshadowed by those of extroverts, personalities who thrive on expressing thoughts outward.

When asked what stigmas she has heard about introverts, Madison Hoff ‘20 says, “I have heard that we don’t have as many good ideas because we don’t express them out loud.”

But it doesn’t stop there: about 73 percent of students at Regis Jesuit believe that classroom settings are geared more towards the benefit of extroverts, from Socratic seminars where students are required to share their opinions for a grade, to circumstances as simple as having the tables arranged in groups of four, provoking social activity.

“The best teachers at Regis Jesuit can do activities that include both extroverts and introverts and can work to both of those personalities,” says Ms. Brown.

Of course, successful introverted individuals such as Albert Einstein, Meryl Streep, and Barack Obama have improved society with their scientific, artistic, and political achievements, but several researchers would argue that we live in an “extroverted world.”

Now this is not to say that we should diminish the personaty of extroverts.

Myers and Briggs state that each and every individual has a bit of outwness and introversion within them, “it all runs on a spectrum.”

Some people may be more extroverted than introverted; certain individuals perhaps have an equal balance of both types and are classified as “ambiverts,” people who have the best of both worlds by easily socializing and taking advantage age of solitude, an asset that many people aspire to have.

Often times we go to the people who are most like us, but the real challenge is to converse with others unlike ourselves and be immersed in unusual situations. “I’ll force myself to talk to people and be more extroverted instead of my introverted self,” says Hoff. In an Ignatian way at Regis Jesuit, we are all called to be reflective and strive for justice using these introspective qualities. So the next time you view your relationships with others and yourself, take another look at the everpresent inner voice.

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¿Quienes son?

By: Sophia Marcinek ‘20

Roberto Cruz Sebastian Namur Favorite movie: Troy Favorite sport: Baseball Favorite food: Burgers Favorite color: Gray

“I like this program because I think that surrounding myself with a whole new culture and new people helped me not only to make a lot of friends and live such good experiences.”

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Favorite movie: La La Land Favorite sport: Swimming Favorite food: Italian Food Favorite color: Blue “I like getting to know new people and to see American culture.”

Arturo Rochín

Favorite movie: Inception Favorite sport: Mountaineering

Favorite food: Sushi Favorite color: Blue

Paloma Hurtado

“The closer you get to the mountains to closer the connection with real people”

Favorite movie: A La Mala Favorite sport: Dance Favorite food: Tortas Ahogadas Favorite color: Fuchsia “I’ve really liked the people here, like my new friends, and the fact that everywhere you look the views are amazing.”

Daphne Flores

Favorite movie: The Parent Trap Favorite sport: Soccer Favorite food: Tacos Favorite color: Purple “My favorite part about this program is how you can have the chance to experience things that you will never have the chance to experience in your normal life.”

Aranza Marquez

Favorite movie: Into the Wild Favorite sport: Soccer Favorite food: Tacos Favorite color: Green “I love meeting new people, like my soccer team and I get to see the world with a different perspective.”

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FOND Farewells Mr. Tim Newton 42 years heading the RJ Fine Art Program

M

By Gustavo Flores Gomez ’20

r. Newton is retiring after 42 years and with that kind of record he has truly seen Regis Jesuit. After a very long and successful career of being an art teacher, Mr. Newton’s love for fine art, the process of creation, and teaching students to take pride in their work has had everlasting impacts on many students.

“I first met Mr. Newton my sophomore year at Regis in the Art II course. I remember him walking in every morning with that cup of coffee that used to change colors, sit down a his desk, and start class with a beaming smile,” 2008 grad Michael Gordon said of his early days as an artist. Gordon is a mixed media artist who has traveled the world and whose current show “Between Two Points” is showing in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Gordon credits those early days in Newton’s art room as his basis for his future in art.

“He taught me how to paint, not by forcing me to complete monotonous exercises, but by giving me the basic tools and then stepping back. He would open the door and then let me walk through it. I always knew I loved art. It was one place that I always felt at peace.

During office hours and lunch, my friends and I would hang out in the art room, using the leftover watercolor tubes to draw pictures for Mr. Newton on the fresh white paper he would put over his desk everyday.

That room was a sanctuary for us, and Mr. Newton was the abbot,” Gordon says.

Daniel Hernandez, a graduate from the class of 1999, is a journalist and essayist living in Nevada whose work has appeared in the New York Times, Vice, The Atlantic, and The Guardian among other publications. He credits his hard working ability and creativity in part to the way| Mr. 14 Spring 2018 VolNewton 3 Issue 3

pushed him to take pride in his work and work at it.

”He acknowledged my ability but made it clear, too, that in order to succeed I’d have to work hard,” Hernandez said.

“Mr. Newton taught me that making good art requires careful preparation, strong attention to detail, and a willingness to listen to critiques. It was my first experience workshopping my art, which made me feel like a professional and begin to take myself seriously.

Before him I did whatever I wanted. After that class I realized outside advice could improve my work.”

Current RJ art teacher and 1999 graduate Antonio Maes was a student of Mr. Newton and credits him for his love and career in art.

“I dig into the past and recall taking my first art class with Mr. Newton, failing my first drawing. I was certain the class was going to be challenging but had an awareness Mr. Newton would be honest and fair. He taught me art was a process and the Principles and Elements of art were components in creating a complete piece of work,” Maes said.

Maes remembers the blind hand contour project, his project freshman year and how it challenged him to stick to the fundamentals.

It’s project that still to this day Mr. Maes still does with his freshman.

“Little did I know that it would be the catalyst for my major in college at Regis University, majoring in art, with an emphasis in

oil painting. It was these Principles and Elements of Art that created the blueprint for my paintings shapes and color choices. These elements can be seen in my current work twenty years later,” Maes said.

Mr. Maes recalls how Mr. Newton taught his students to have pride of their work.

“I remember the times when my Regis Jesuit classmates and I would compare drawings, sketches and our doodles not only in art class but in the other classes we took in school. It was something we took pride in, oftentimes showing them to Mr. Newton in class.”

Mr. Maes attributes his ability to perform at his best the way Mr. Newton taught and disciplined his classes

“I can recall when Mechanical Drawing was offered and we had class in the cafeteria. Mr. Newton had high standards for the class and taught me how to think three dimensionally. This was a more technical class and emphasis was on precision of lines and shapes. Again, I was grateful for this class as it prepared me for the many college classes to approach pieces of my work along with others with a demanding critical, yet open mind.”

Mr. Maes brings to mind how even through graduating Regis and coming back, Mr. Newton still offered advice and became a friend.

“Fast forward through high school and college, I found myself working at Regis Jesuit the fall of 2003. It was my first year teaching, and Mr. Newton, now Tim to me was my professional mentor and colleague. I can say the wisdom did not stop as a professional. Mr. Newton has been there every step of the way to help me become the teacher that I am. He

demonstrated how to be effective and still maintain a fun and lively classroom. We’ve had many meaningful conversations centered around art, our classes, family, faith, and the students.”

“ Reflecting on the nineteen years Mr. Newton has been in my daily life, I recognize the mindful groundwork he has invested in his passion, temper, and spirit,” Maes added.

“In today’s art world it is a rarity for the apprentice to work for so long with the master. I am humbled, grateful, and indebted to Mr. Newton for the gifts he has rooted and handed down to me.”

Mr. Maes hopes to continue the legacy that Mr. Newton started.

“The hope is to continue the valuable endeavor he started 42 years ago as the only person in the Fine Arts Department at the Pink Palace. Mr. Newton thank you for the part of your life you shared with me as a young man.”

Hernandez also has fond memories of those early days.

“​I grew up with Antonio and we’d always draw in our notebooks and compare our stuff. Often it was just doodles or graffiti. I remember for some reason we liked to draw crumbling brick walls. In art classes together we always appreciated each others’ styles. I copied his approach all the time.

But it was very simply pen and paper stuff.

It wasn’t until we took Mr. Newton’s class together that we started expanding into paint and other forms that we’d never tried before. Not just the median, but the actual drawing forms were new to us.”

Newton’s ability to give constructive criticism and applaud on your strengths, is something all of his students remember.

“What I thought I was the best painting I’d ever done only earned a B,” Hernandez recalls. “I couldn’t believe it. But I’ve been looking more closely at it again (my mom has it hanging in her condo) and I see where it could be better. I’ve decided to do it over again. ​I think that’s his legacy--teaching kids to take pride in their work and always strive to improve.”

42 years. Thousands of students.

Countless tubes of paint. The messy artists apron, the mug of coffee, and starting class everyday with his iconic everlasting smile.

Thank you Mr. Newton for your grace and your wisdom.

Daniel Hernandez says it best:

“More than anything, I want to thank Mr. Newton for inspiring me to follow my intuition, to see the beauty in the small details of life, and to never stop creating. He was an incredible role model in my life, and I am so grateful for his support and guidance.”

Mr. Andy Carroll Master of Language, Artifacts and the JUG

When asked what Mr. Carroll hopes his legacy will be at Regis Jesuit, he laughs.

“Besides being the number one JUG teacher in the school? I don’t know. Seriously, I hope that I brought a new vitality to the Latin program. I hope that I made people passionate about Latin and learning.”

That is certainly felt by his students.

“I think about how Mr. Carroll made a difference in my life,” Alex Occhionero ‘18 says.

“He pushed me to have a passion for language. That didn’t just occur for me but for most of the kids that had him.

His passion is contagious. No class is ever just a boring lecture.

He teaches Latin in a ways that’s approachable and fun. We might both be leaving Regis Jesuit after this year, but I will never forget the laughs or the lessons. I will never forget him or his class.” - By Leo McCabe ‘19

Mr. Steve Cavnar Soft Spoken, High Expectations, Encouragement

Here are some numbers for you--73%, 76%, 75%, 74%--the grades I earned in math up until junior year. Obviously, I am not a math wiz.

As could be expected, I walked into Algebra 2 junior year with a negative attitude. My year started off terribly as I had developed a math aversion due to my previous experiences (to make matters worse, the air conditioner wasn’t working).

But fortunately these first few days did not reflect my year as a whole. In fact, my experience ended up being the complete opposite. Mr. Steve Cavnar was a huge reason as to why. With a smile, he inspired every class he had and every student he taught. I particularly felt inspired by his optimism.

Mr. Cavnar is soft spoken yet demanding at the same time. Although the vibe was generally laid-back, I never worked harder in any other class. He encouraged all of my classmates and me to do our very best in our mathematical endeavors.

Beyond math, Mr. Cavnar embodies the Jesuit concept of magis--striving for the qualitative more. He inspired us in every other aspect of our growth, not just the intellectual.

Every class started with a prayer and he pushed us to not only pray for the obvious, but to pray from our hearts.

I’m sad to see him go, but I know that he’s left a huge, bright mark on Regis Jesuit and on the students in the halls, whether he taught them or not.” - By Nick Faber ’18

Mr. Chris Kellerman

Hip hop, Theology & Life The impression Mr. Chris Kellerman, SJ has made in just three years here is beyond compare. He came to Regis Jesuit to teach theology, but has done so much more than that. He’s not just a teacher. He’s a colleague, a mentor and, above all, a friend, and one who never puts himself above others, one willing to help anyone and everyone who needs it.

During his time, he has gone out of his way to connect with not only the students in his classroom, but those he didn’t have in class as well. Devin Llorente when asked about what

Mr Kellerman means to him said, “just seeing the way he can relate and really show his love for his students has just been amazing.”

Through his actions, he let this community know very early on that teaching was only part of his mission at Regis Jesuit. Mr. Kellerman spent his time here making a positive difference. Whether it be through Cannonball Club, Kairos leadership or his role in revamping the boys sophomore retreat, Mr. Kellerman changed so many lives.

The RJ community is so fortunate that he was missioned here to complete the regency portion of his formation as a Jesuit. As he moves on to a new chapter in his life, he will be missed; however, anyone fortunate enough to encounter him can attest that his legacy in our halls will live on.

On behalf of the Regis Jesuit community, thank you for everything you did in such a short time here. We wish you the best of luck wherever your next journey takes you. - By Klye Macdonald ‘18

15

FOND Farewells Ms. Gretchen Kessler The founding principal and true Ignation leader

F

By Caroline Linton ‘20

ifteen years, 5745 days, 137,880 hours, 8,272,800 minutes, 496,368,000 seconds. These are the measurements in time that Ms. Kessler has served at Regis Jesuit. However, they don’t come close to representing the amount of effort she has put into making the Girls Division the inviting place it is today.

Before Ms. Kessler began working at Regis Jesuit, she worked at Canisius High School, another Jesuit school in Buffalo, New York. She worked there for several years as a Spanish teacher and eventually became the assistant principal. When Ms. Kessler found out that there was a Denver Jesuit school opening a division for girls only, she felt ecstatic, believing it was time the Jesuits do the same thing for young women as they had been doing for boys for hundreds of years. She immediately knew it was something she wanted to be a part of, and applied for the job as principal. Lucky for us, Ms. Kessler was hired.

When the 2003-04 school year began, the first year of the Girls Division, the freshman class had 134 girls and the sophomore class only 39. The first year of classes were held off-campus at St. Catherine’s Greek Orthodox Church in a grammar school building they weren’t ready to use.

Ms. Kessler shared that one of her fondest memories of her time here was of that first year at St. Catherine’s.

There wasn’t a PA system, so the whole school would gather 16 Spring 2018 | Vol 3 Issue 3

outside or in the gym for morning and afternoon prayer and announcements. Throughout these years, there has been much change and lots of learning, but as theology teacher Mrs. Muldoon says, “you get better as you go.” Now, 15 years later, the RJ Girls Division is as successful as ever with 733 young women currently attending this year.

Many challenges came with establishing the Girls Division, but there are also many opportunities. “There are so many neat things, starting with traditions,” said Ms. Kessler. She has loved seeing so many important moments of the girls lives including retreats and service days, but her “ultimate favorite” memories are of graduation. At this time, Ms. Kessler is able to see so many women with “bright features ahead of them” and being a part of their growth is something she is proud of.

Those who began the Girls Division with Ms. Kessler have wonderful things to say about her—the one description everyone used is that she is not only a caring principal, but a compassionate woman.

When asked what her fondest memory is, Ms Prohira mentioned the very first day of classes for the Girls Division, recalling, “After all of the days and nights and hard work, we were [the] Regis Jesuit High School Girls Division. For Ms. Kessler and me, it

was a very proud moment and it has been an amazing journey.” Mrs. Muldoon also recalled numerous memories of RJ, but her top one was being given the chance work alongside Ms. Kessler while participating in so many lives and having a positive influence on young women, That is the most beloved part of her job.

Ms. Kelli Lotito, Dean of Students, states that Ms. Kessler is a “female role model.”

She has led from the very beginning and has made the Girls Division into the incredible school it is today. Katie Mihalco ’06, a member of the first graduating class of girls and now a colleague, calls Ms. Kessler a “pioneer” and an “inspiration to be a great teacher.”

Another member of the early graduating classes and now also a colleague, Emily Glenn ’08 states that Ms. Kessler is an “important leader in showing girls how to be women with and for others. Ms. Kessler leads by example with her compassion. She is “always supportive and takes the time to get to know you,” shares Glenn.

Fortunately, Ms. Kessler isn’t leaving us for good. She will return to the classroom next year to teach three sections of Spanish and will help in the Advancement Office with outreach to the school’s alumni. She recalls that the most challenging part of her 15 years at the helm has been the “schedule of a princi-

pal,” which is a never-ending series of meetings and events, some requiring bi-location. She loves teaching and would never want to let her students down. Leaving her position was not an easy decision.

She will miss not getting to “see the faculty the same way.”

They are such great people and she will miss saying hello and having side conversations in the hallways.

But she saw an opportunity to serve the school in a different capacity. She muses, “I would love to know what’s happening with all of our alumni.” This is what led her to her new position. Ms. Kessler will be meeting with them to talk about where Regis Jesuit is now, and what they can do to participate in the school.

In everything she has done, Gretchen Kessler has encouraged and motivated us all to do our best. Through her leadership and compassion, she has led the Regis Jesuit High School Girls Division to greatness. When asked to describe her time here at RJ in three words, Ms. Kessler said “faith-filled, joyful and fulfilling.”

These three words will continue to inspire her as she transitions from her role as founding principal, and they should inspire us to enjoy Regis Jesuit and make the most of our time here. Her influence on the school has been profound and will be everlasting.

Dr. Dan Sage The passionate professor

His sweater, a garage sale gem, displays a large, somewhat faded world map. Dr. Daniel Sage (or “Doc Sage,” as his students call him), wears this sweater almost every day. If you know him, you know the sweater.

Doc Sage brings a vibrant energy to the classroom, his teaching is both engaging and fun. He allows for creative discussion amongst his students and listens intently to what each person in his class has to say.

More importantly, Doc Sage is a friend to his students.

He makes connections and helps kids when they are struggling. He is passionate about those around him and the classes he teaches. His presence at Regis Jesuit will be missed by those who have had the pleasure of interacting with him at any level.

Despite retiring from teaching, he will continue his work with his counseling practice. - By Conor Lyford ‘18

Mrs. Charlotte Jackson

Kindness, compassion, always there

Mrs. Charlotte Jackson is a fantastic school nurse. But she is involved in so much more. Whether it is working with Special Olympics, serving as a retreat leader or helping students feel better every day, Mrs. Jackson is always there to greet you with her warm smile, kind words and gentle demeanor.

Going to see her with because of a sore throat, headache, stomach ache, fever, cough or just a hard day, it is a guarantee that Mrs. Jackson makes it better.

I had the opportunity to lead a Kairos with Mrs. Jackson, so saw up close her kind soul, leadership qualities and warmth that made it easy for kids to reach out to and inspired those around her.

I don’t have one memory where she was not kind, gentle and caring, and I am confident no one at the school does either. Goodbye and thank you Mrs. Jackson! -Will Dennen ‘18

Mr. Alan Carruthers Motivational Leadership When reflecting on his time here, Mr. Alan Carruthers said, “Regis Jesuit has helped me grow in who I am as a person. This school and community is something special and I will never forget the impact it made on me.”

When reflecting on Mr. Carruther’s impact, I would use the word ‘strong’ to describe him. A significant action from someone is required to be inspired.

A motivational statement is required from a person to gain commitment. And more importantly, support from the ones around you is required to build confidence. All of these simple actions gain and show virtue. That’s Mr. Carruthers. The commitment and effort he has put into this school has been more than a blessing. The compassion he has shown in doing justice is only a small aspect of the myriad of other great things he has done. Whether it is a simple greeting in the hallway, or a small gesture at a football game, the positive environment Mr. Carruthers created for the students is beyond measure.

During his six years here, Mr. Carruthers has impacted the boys and helped them become the young men they are today. Beyond enjoying my quirky comments on the announcements, there was one thing he told me that I will cherish. He said, “The biggest journey of your life is how you’re going to be yourself.”

I have tried to live by that mantra ever since. Mr. Carruther’s example showed me how I can do the things I find inspiring and truly be myself. I can’t thank him enough for that, Mr. Carruthers, Wishing him the best for the future. -Kevin Dong ‘18

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RJMEDIANOW.COM

18 Spring 2018 | Vol 3 Issue 3

YOUR HOME FOR STUDENT MEDIA

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

19

The North Denver Years After Morrison, Regis Jesuit moved to North Denver And began a stint there that lasted over one hundred years.

Story and Photo by: Leo McCabe ‘19

20 Spring 2018 | Vol 3 Issue 3

The year was 1888, and change was coming.

This was the year that Regis Jesuit High School made it’s second of three campus moves, from Morrison to North Denver. They would spend over 100 years at this campus.

During this time, the college and the high school operated as one institution. that was both the high school and the college. It would stay this way until 1921, when the high school and college were formally split into two different entities. Then, in 1979, they became two corporations.

The school mainly drew its student body from the Northwest Denver neighborhood. “I went to St. Catherine’s, in Northwest Denver, and had about ten of my friends come with me (to RJ),” said Mr. Glenn Churchill ‘69. Mr. John Ferraro ‘82, had a similar experience coming from St. Catherine’s. “I think my parents wanted me to go to Holy Family, but I knew God had it in my heart and that I was meant to be at Regis Jesuit,” says Ferraro. “I kept on nagging and pestering my parents, and on the day of the entrance exam my dad told me that I could go to Regis, or at least I could take the entrance exam,” he adds.

Some aspects of the school have stayed the same. “Athletically the school was great, as well as academically,” adds Churchill.

“I remember retreats,” says Ferraro. “Especially in the later years. We definitely have a stronger retreat program now.”

Throughout the time at this campus, there were many teachers and Jesuits who made an impression on students. “Fr. Blackwell taught me Latin, that was a class where there was no messing around,” said Churchill.

This was also a time when Mr. Ralph Taylor was teaching at Regis Jesuit.

“I think the world of Ralph Taylor,” says Churchill, “This was back when he was ordained and in the order [of Jesuits].”

There were many traditions at the school as well. “I remember my freshman year, we used to build floats for homecoming,” said Ferraro. “Each class would build a float, and several of my classmates I met through the football team, who became of my best friends, since we were not on varsity we decided to go to my house and build a float there.”

Regis Jesuit was quickly growing. They had already moved buildings on the Regis University campus. The decision was made to move off the campus. The Campbell Family donated the land which makes up part of the Campbell Campus today. The cornerstone of the school, the present-day Girls Division, was laid on September 16, 1989. The school opened its doors for the first time at the new campus the following fall.

The time spent at the North Denver Campus shaped the school and its foundation. It helped mold countless young men to the Men With and For Others they are today.

21

Meet

Angela Serwaa-Marfo

Club & Activities Renaissance Woman

By Patrick Koenigs ‘18 Photo by Olivia Bachmann ‘20

Diversity Action

“Diversity Action is one of my favorite things to do at Regis,” Angela says. “It’s such an important opportunity and responsibility.” She teaches underclassmen about inclusivity in Mrs. Wuertz’s advisement. “She is friendly and kind, she has an incredible mind and a gigantic heart,” Mrs. Wuertz says. “She is authentically Angela every single day.”

Fencing

“I admit that fencing is a little obscure,” she laughs. “As I became more into it, I loved the strategy of sword fighting. You need the right of way to strike to get the points, which makes it difficult. It’s athletic, but it’s also strategic.” Angela doesn’t fence competitively, but does it for fun once a week after school at Regis.

RJ Students for Life

“I became a member right away,” Angela says of Students for Life. “It’s one of the activities I do that I want to continue inside and outside of the classroom.” Angela advocates for the issues important to her at meetings and at marches throughout the school year.

Raider Sports Network

Orchestra

“Sports are really important in my life,” Angela says.

“For the past two years, she’s been running social media updates for Raider Sports Network on Friday nights.”“The small, special moments make it so unique,” she says. “It was so incredible watching the football team go to the Semi-Finals and watching the basketball team go to the Final Four and Fran dunking for the first time. I love being there on the sidelines for Regis Jesuit.”

“I accidentally became involved in orchestra,” Angela remembers. “In Middle School, orchestra was randomly on my schedule. And I didn’t understand. My first thought was why am I in music? I’m not even interested in it. So I thought I would just do it for a year, but I ended up doing it for the last five.” She laughs. “I love it.”

Speech & Debate

“As a member of the RJHS Speech and Debate Team, Angela brings dedication and enthusiasm to her work as an Extemporaneous Speaker,” her coach Mr. Onstott says. “She always tries her hardest and, as a result, has grown tremendously as a public speaker.” Angela practices three times a week and debates on Saturdays.

Justice League

“I think it’s important to be involved with justice because Jesus helped those who were poor, those who society sees as outcasts” Angela says. “As followers of Christ we are called to do the same for their people, those who might be refugees, who might have suffered through war, and those who are poor and homeless.”

22 Spring 2018 | Vol 3 Issue 3

Senior Megan Rielly Takes Second In the World

By Leah Sullivan ’18 and Isabel Bordewyk ‘18

With senior Megan Rielly’s first steps came her first pair of s​kis. She first started skiing when she was just two years and has been training ever since. ​Preparing for ski competitions doesn’t always require snow. Rielly is always getting ready for the next season.

During the warm months when skiing in Colorado is not an option, she is playing volleyball for Regis Jesuit and working out with Landow Performance to stay in shape for the physical demands of big mountain skiing. The type of skiing where you compete on double black diamonds (the hardest terrain on the mountain) and jump off cliffs.

Last year, her hard work paid off and she earned the opportunity to compete in one of the biggest junior ski competitions in the world. The Freeride Junior World Championships is an international ski and snowboarding competition that was recently held in Kappl, Austria. The competition is a world class sports event, bringing in ​ only 60 of the best athletes from around the world. All of them competing for the world champion title. The competition focuses a strong emphasis on youth participation and injury prevention. ​

This circuit is for athletes

up to eighteen years old, and not only provides an environment for athletes to compete and showcase their skills, but also understanding the environment they are competing in, and how to be safe in it. Rielly competed in the ski portion of the junior world tour. With good airs despite a run-in with avalanche debris, she impressed judges and viewers across the world. Rielly​placed second, with a score of 62. Her competitors who came in first and in third place

were ​Marie Bovard​(first place) from Switzerland and ​Caroline Dreier​(third place) from France.

“When I first saw that I was originally in first I was confused, but then really happy when I realized what it meant, This made me so happy, excited, and emotional,” Rielly said.

When asked about what her future in skiing looks like, Rielly says she’s going to “continue competing. This competition gave me the viewpoint of my future and what lies ahead of me.”

Megan’s goal is to compete in the adult circuit next year. Skiing is her passion and she wants to “spread the love of this sport with others”.

Her success was displayed in Tradition Hall for weeks following her success and we are proud to honor yet another incredible athlete in​our community.

Top: with coach Rachel Croft inspecting the run just before the run that earned 2nd. Middle: On the podium. Right: THE world RUN. photos: freerideworldtour.com 23

MEET

MR.

TRICCO RJHS HIRES NEW PRINCIPAL MR. JIMMY TRICCO

RJ MEDIA: What are you most excited for about coming to RJ? MR. TRICCO: I think the energy and love of the community was infectious when I was up there meeting everybody. People are so excited about the educational experience that Regis provides, and I think that especially the relationships are something I value; those were evident when I made my trip up there. So I think just the experience of the community and the relationships that are built at Regis.

RJ MEDIA: What impression did Regis leave on you when came for

your first visit?

MR. TRICCO: I am grateful for the community’s appreciation of one anoth-

er, especially the students. I think that everything at Regis is aimed to give the students the best experience possible, nudging them closer and closer to God. That is something that needs to be true of all Jesuit schools for them to live out there mission and vision. I think my impression was that it was a school with a lot of amazing traditions, with obviously some areas for growth. I look forward to shaping the trajectory of school and working with the current staff there next year and hopefully long into the future.

RJ MEDIA: How have your past experiences benefited you in your

career and how is your Ignatian experience going to benefit you being Regis’ next principal?

MR. TRICCO: Being a Jesuit high school grad myself, I am completely formed and

24 Spring 2018 | Vol 3 Issue 3

so deeply in love with the Jesuit tradition in high school. If I could preface this with saying I am a big fan of the Jesuit saints, especially our founder saint Ignatius of Loyola, and Saint Francis Xavier.

One thing I think Saint Francis Xavier did with the early Jesuits that was really cool was when they went out in the world to spread the good news. Wherever they went they tried to take on the cultures, speak the languages, and learn the customs of the people they were visiting. They spoke the dialect of the people and dressed like the people. I feel like at Jesuit schools like Regis, like saint Francis Xavier, faculty and staff learn the dialect of the students, just like the early Jesuits did.

In that relationship thats where they find Jesus, thats where they find God. I think in Jesuit education thats where I’ve encountered God. It revolves around the people who have drawn me closer to Christ. This is seen when I went to Gonzaga, where I work at Xavier now, and then I know going forward to Regis. I’m prepared to meet people were they are. We discover God in these moments and in those relationships.

With Ignatian spirituality, I have been through the spiritual exercises and I firmly believe God knows me exactly where I am. He is calling me to share myself so we can better follow his will. I am really excited to grow in relationships with students, faculty, and staff at Regis.

RJ MEDIA: What is your vision for the future advancement of RJHS? MR. TRICCO: I think the very structure of what is happening, going to a one

principal for a school community, I think that speaks volumes. One thing that resurfaced time and time again was this need to bridge or almost help build the relationships between the two divisions. This was in almost every conversation that I had from students, parents, faculty and staff, department chairs, the board.

There is this desire to be more aligned with the entire community. That is one area of growth that I think will be important. This goes for any school I think, having everyone on the same page and having all the teachers feeling that everyone knows the mission and vision and that everyone is dedicated to that. One of the other things that surfaced again and again was diversity among the students, faculty, and staff, so that sounds like an area of growth and again thats a common area of growth for all our Jesuit schools. I think there is a lot of mention about STEM and how to better integrate technology to not only prepare students for the future, but to integrate to improve the student experience in the classroom. So those are the three things that popped up again and again, and those are areas I’m excited to be a part of.

RJ MEDIA: What do you think is going to be the most challenging

adjustment for you?

MR. TRICCO: I think one of the first things someone sent me after I got the job

was a quote saying “We are proud of you” and I don’t know if I’m supposed to know what that means but I think you all know what that means. I look at this not as a challenge, but as an opportunity. I am new to the community, I am new to the traditions, I am new to the school and new to the way Regis has been in the past.

So I think learning the lingo, the structure, and new roles, just immersing myself in the place seems like a great opportunity more than a challenge.

RJ MEDIA: Do you want to say anything to the student body?

MR. TRICCO: I would just like the student body to know that I am extremely

excited to get to know them and accompany them on their Jesuit journey. I look forward to meeting all of them in some capacity. I hope they know I am really open and available and I am excited for this opportunity coming up. I absolutely love Jesuit education, our mission and vision for Jesuit education, and I hope they get to know my family as well. I am pretty proud of my wife and kids for coming here with me and I hope they get to share that love as well.

FAVORITE MOVIE?

Forrest Gump with The Shawshank Redemption as close second.

FAVORITE COLOR?

Green

FAVORITE BOOK?

The Return of the Prodigal Son FAVORITE FOOD?

My wife’s lasagna.

FAVORITE THING TO DO WHEN YOU”RE NOT WORKING?

I love to read, go to the movies, I love to hike.

IF YOU COULD GO ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD WHERE WOULD YOU GO?

I would love to do the Camino de Santiago.

FAVORITE HIGH SCHOOL MEMORY?

Probably my Kairos retreat.

RJ MEDIA: This job comes along with moving out here from Cali-

fornia, how do you feel about picking up your younger family and coming out here to Colorado?

MR. TRICCO: We’ve made this move before. Eight years ago we moved from

Phoenix to Southern California, and that was a difficult move as well. We really feel called and that God has led us to this time and place. While picking up and moving all our belongings to a new place can be annoying, tiring, frustrating at times, looking at the bigger picture we can be more excited. We’re probably going to purge our belongings, which is always a good feeling. I like to consider myself a simple person, so only bringing the necessities with us. I think we look forward to hopefully finding a place, settling, hopefully finding some good schools for my children. We have a ten year old, an eight year old, and a three year old. They are just giant balls of energy so getting them a place where they’re stable, we can have the house set up and rooms ready to go, that would be a good feeling. We’re super excited about it. The moving stuff we’ve done before and as much as that stinks we’re so excited for what’s to come.

Left: Mr. Tricco with his wife Jacqui and children, Lucy (10), Cyril (8) and Quinn (3). Middle: Mr. Tricco and Lucy. Above: Mr. Tricco and Mrs. Tricco hiking the Grand Canyon.

Reporting By: Leo McCabe ‘19, Maxine Fuselier ‘19, Sophia Marcinek ‘20, Olivia Bachmann ‘20 Photos provided by: Mr. Tricco

25

CAM LYNOTT Catherine (Cam) Lynott is an award winning oil painter, sculpture and designer whose illustrations have been featured right here in Regis Jesuit’s Elevate Magazine.

She is inspired from the streaming images of her subconscious and her artwork is filled with references from nature, expressing her growing concern for the environment and helping people in need.

Throughout her work Ms. Lynott portrays a determined protagonist, battling to escape environmental ills, metaphorically dress the wounds of loved ones, and repurpose the old ways to meet new needs.

We find hope in these actions and begin to see that recovering harmony with nature, is still within our collective reach. Catherine Lynott will be attending the Kansas City Art Institute in the fall on a full ride scholarship.

Class of...

20

18

The Next Chapter

ETHAN CLOCK

NOELLE CAHILL

NICK FALICIA

As Ethan Clock looks forward to attending the University of Oklahoma next fall, he leaves behind massive achievements that he has accomplished at Regis Jesuit. Ethan was an active member of the theatre at Regis, landing big roles such as Lumière in Beauty and the Beast or Finch in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.

Ethan has been into theatre since he was four years old, describing, “I saw my sister in a dance recital, I told my parents that I wanted to be on stage, and from then on I have been performing.”

In addition to going to college for a musical theatre degree, Ethan is considering minoring in Spanish or linguistics. After four years at Regis, the best advice he can give any incoming student is that whatever a person puts into something, the more one will get out of it.

Ever since Noelle Cahill first entered the doors at Regis four years ago, she has strived for excellence in everything she does. Noelle has found massive success both on the court with the Regis Jesuit girls basketball team and in the classroom. She manages to push through every day by always “having a goal in mind with my teammates and with my classmates, which really drives me everyday to be my best.”

Noelle is looking forward to attending the University of Pennsylvania next year and sets her sights to continue her basketball career into college. When visiting the university and meeting with the basketball program she came away knowing it was right for her.

“I loved the team, I loved the coaches, and it really felt like the right place for me.” Noelle is looking to pursue a business degree, like her father. In the end she attributes a lot of her success to Regis, she thinks that Regis “is a really competitive environment with high academic and athletic standards.”

The college search can be a frantic time in a student’s life and at the end of the day, most students opt to attend a university in the same country they went to high school in. With current senior Nick Falicia, that is not the case. Nick is looking forward to attending University of Saint Andrews in Scotland this coming fall.

Nick knew the decision was a hard one but in the end he described where his choice came from as, “I wanted to expand my horizons and see the world.” Although he looked all over the United States for schools, he decided to attend Saint Andrews and added that, “the hardest part was convincing my mother.”

Nick is currently planning to study modern history in the fall, but eventually wants to come back to the United States to finish his education. He wants to attend law school when he returns, setting his sights on human rights issues and maybe one day becoming actively involved in the United Nations.

26 Spring 2018 | Vol 3 Issue 3

By: Hunter Sullivan ‘20

27

RJ nation m

28 Spring 2018 | Vol 3 Issue 3

RJ NATION

map

2017-2018

By: Hunter Sullivan ‘20 29

BOUNCING BACK THE JOURNEY OF MS. CHRIS LAYNE AND HER SON AUSTIN SINCE A LIFE CHANGING ACCIDENT LAST FALL.

Story By: Leo McCabe ‘19 October 28th, 2016.

It was senior Austin Layne’s 17th birthday. Him, his mom Chris, his cousin, senior Drew Shively, senior Andrew Helfer, and Austin’s exchange student Oriol were all going rock climbing to celebrate.

They decided to take a slightly more challenging route up to their climbing spot, instead of the more accessible route. They encountered a small ledge they had to maneuver up and over.“We were just a couple feet into the climb,” recalls Austin. “I turned around to help my aunt up and thats when she started sliding,” said Shively. “I made eye contact with her and then she just fell.”

Ms. Layne fell roughly seventy feet. “I was handing Austin Gatorades and I heard Drew screaming,” Helfer reflected.

“I panicked and threw my backpack off and started to run towards her.

I didn’t know if she was still alive or not,” said Austin.

“After a few minutes I asked her what her name was and who the president was that year. She was able to tell me all of that stuff.”

Over the next thirty minutes, a sort of calm madness followed.

“They all stayed calm, Austin attended me by stabilizing my body so I would not move or roll down 30 Spring 2018 | Vol 3 Issue 3

Seniors Drew Shively, left, and Austin Layne, receive the Medal of Merit, the highest honor given in the Boy Scouts for heroism and life-saving, for their actions that helped save Austin’s mom’s life. any further and talked to me to keep me awake and alert,” said Ms. Layne. “Oriol ran back up to retrieve his backpack and covered me with the thermal blanket so I would not go into shock and Drew flagged down a driver to call 9-1-1 since he did not have cell phone service.”

Says Shively, “ I saw her eyes open, and it gave me such relief, knowing that she

was still with us.”

Soon after, multiple emergency response vehicles showed up, including an ambulance helicopter. Since she had fallen into a creek, getting her up and out was a tricky task.

“They ended up strapping her to a board and using a rope system to get her up,” said Helfer.

She was then trans-

ported to St. Anthony’s hospital via helicopter. The boys followed the helicopter to the hospital. This is when the emotions started to hit. “I was the designated driver back to the hospital,” said Shively. Ms. Layne broke multiple ribs, her wrist, and her back resulting in paralysis in her legs.

A lot of change in her and Austin’s daily lives has come since the accident.

with a hopeful mindset you can get over everything. Austin was, for me, an example of toughness and love for the people he cares about.”

For Ms. Layne, she is determined to not let this hold her back. Her motto is “Your BIGGEST tragedy could be the perfect set-up for your greatest COMEBACK! Keep the faith, roll-on, spread your kindness and don’t forget to SMILE!”

“One thing that is really different is that she was a nurse. She would wake up at 5:30 everyday to get ready for work, be gone all day, then would get back and make dinner for us,” Austin said.

“Now, her morning takes a lot longer and it takes a lot more energy. We had to remodel our house so she can ride a chairlift to her room. We remodeled our bathroom so she can get in and out of the shower with a wheelchair.”

It has also been a time for growth.

“She has had a lot of time to herself to work out and volunteer,” Austin said. “That opened up possibilities but it’s tough too.”

The sense of community came out in full strength after the accident.

“I had my exchange student, Oriol, from Spain and we were home alone for a couple of months. We would go to Qdoba or cook our own food, but when a family would bring us food that was the best,” said Austin.

There was also a GoFundMe set up that helped Ms. Layne get a van she can drive with hand controls.

For Oriol, it was an up and down year.

“My year with the Layne’s was both one of the toughest and one of the best years of my life,” Oriol said.

“Spending time with Ms. Layne showed me how nothing is impossible, and that

“Your BIGGEST tragedy could be the perfect set-up for your greatest COMEBACK! Keep the faith, roll-on, spread your kindness and don’t forget to SMILE!” - Ms. Chris Layne

Top to Bottom: Austin and Chris at Mom Prom, their first time dancing together in over a year.

BD Nurse Mrs. Jackson, right, with Ms. Layne in the Nurse’s office, where Ms. Layne volunteers. Ms. Layne in a rehab machine at Craig Hospital to help her walk again.

As Ms. Layne says, “Don’t forget to SMILE!”

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The RJ Hockey Team Presents Banner to the Stoneman Douglas team at nationals

WHAT A YEAR Stephen Brackett presents during the opening of Diversity Day.

Junior running back Khian Martinez rips off a run against Creek during his stellar season.

32 Spring 2018 | Vol 3 Issue 3

GD Swim and Dive after a victory in the bubble.

SECOND SEMESTER HIGHLIGHTS

Colorado Broadcaster of the Year, Nick Sangalis, Raider Sports Network & RJTV

Paul Brock - The New School: Parsons School of Design, Sidney Fillipi - Bradley University to study Animation, Cam Lynott - Kansas City Art Institute, Heather Wilhelm - University of Utah/Arapahoe Community College to study Game Design, Noah Briata - Rhode Island School of Design, Audrey Dubler, Art Institute of Chicago

Junior Will Goodwin holds up the block for teammates during a meet.

Eric Linquist and his mom (coach) at the CO Mountain Bike State race.

SCENES FROM @REGISJESUITHS AND @RJ_MEDIA INSTAGRAM

Elijah Martinez led the boys basketball team to a great season.

Mr. Alan Carruthers and Ms. Gretchen Kessler are honored at First Friday Mass.

Noelle Cahill celebrates after the girls basketball Final Four victory at the Denver Coliseum

Freshman Antonio Segura qualified and wrestled in the state tournament.

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34 Spring 2018 | Vol 3 Issue 3

The Fire Within

THE DJ JACKSON STORY

Story by: Connor Lyford ‘18 Photos by: Leo McCabe ‘19

You may have seen him before. Maybe you have seen him roaming the halls, rocking a black hoodie that reads “#D1Bound” in red and white font. Maybe you have seen him on the basketball court; sometimes he throws up a few shots or puts a little pressure on an injured knee that probably isn’t quite ready for his 42 inch vertical. You have most likely seen the most of him on the football field, or even in highlight videos, the former Regis Jesuit starting running back has a knack for finding the other team’s end zone. There is, however, a Da’Veion Jackson (DJ) that you have not seen: one that masks a past filled with violence and isolation. One that has always carried a single mentality: to never give up.

Realistically, DJ should not be where he is today. Not because he hasn’t worked hard enough, but because there were days where DJ did not know if he would wake up in the morning. The 18 year old Regis Jesuit senior spent the early years of his life in Mobile, Alabama in an area filled with violent crime and gangs. This is an area often referred to as ‘the hood,’ a label placed on neighborhoods that lie on the opposite side of paradise. DJ was too young to understand a world outside what he saw in his neighborhood, the environment around him is the environment he grew accustomed to.

“It’s hard for me to be in a nicer neighborhood and not be paranoid because I’m used to hearing gunshots, that soothes me now. That’s the atmosphere I expect to be in,” he said.

After spending his first seven years of life trying to understand the world around him in Alabama, DJ moved out to Colorado with his mother and two little sisters for a chance at a better life. He came to Regis Jesuit High School to continue a career in football. “Football to me is love, its passion, it’s my heart.

So football was my way out. There are a lot of brothers that grow up in the hood where sports are their way out,” he said.

Before coming to Regis Jesuit, DJ played youth football for the Park Hill Pirates.

One day, practice was called off early due to a shooting nearby. DJ and his best friend, a teammate of his on the Pirates, walked to the nearby Hiawatha Davis Rec Center. “This car went by us, but they were going kind of slow, then they hit the brakes and turned off the car. We didn’t really think nothing of it being as young we were, we were only eight or nine years old,” said DJ. Suddenly, they started shooting.

“I just kicked into survival mode. I ducked down, tried to get behind a car.”

The gunshots ended. The car sped off. DJ yelled for his best friend.

He heard no response.

“After I stopped being so shook up about what was going on, I turned around... My friend was sitting there, gasping for air, blood coming out of his mouth…” said DJ. DJ shook his friend, holding his head up, “Its gonna be alright, we gonna be good,” he pleaded.

There was nothing else he could do.

DJ will never forget the night he lost a friend that he looked at like a brother. Today, he has multiple tattoos which are dedicated to the memory of his friend. It could have been very easy for DJ to leave football and give up on a world that had wronged him at such a young age.

But DJ did not stop fighting.

“I was never raised to give up. It was always, fight through the good times, fight through the bad times. When reality hits you, its gonna hit you hard. You either gonna get knocked down and stay down or get up and whoop reality’s ass and make something of your situation,” he said.

Other than the loss of his friend, DJ’s life in Colorado leading up to high school went fairly smoothly. However, as he began high school, DJ and his family were left homeless due to unforeseen complications.

This lasted from his freshman year through his sophomore year. His time at Regis Jesuit served as a polar opposite to his life after school, as he experienced the riches of Regis Jesuit and the struggles of the street life all at once.

“There are kids like me who have been through it, nowhere to go, sleeping under the bridge. I didn’t live with my sisters because we had to send them off so they could be under a roof, and I was just with my mama,” DJ looked back. “I will bet my whole life savings that nobody in this community had to go through that and withstand what I had to withstand. I am not saying it isn’t possible, but the people here do not fully understand what that life was like,” DJ said.

Adam Smallwood, a Regis Jesuit senior who played wide receiver on the football team, offered to drive DJ to and from football practice after finding out about his situation.

“We have been good friends since freshman year, so driving him places was the least I could do. He was very deserving, a really hard worker, and a fantastic athlete. Both of us shared some common traits, so I think that is where our friendship really grew,” said Smallwood.

The two even ran track together, so they carpooled to those practices and games as well. To this day, the two remain close friends. Smallwood recently signed to play football, he will be attending Colorado Mesa University in the fall.

35

After two years living without a solidified place to call home, DJ’s family found a house to live in. He followed this large step with a breakthrough rushing season his Junior year in football, and received looks from multiple big-name schools.

This certianly wasn’t due to a lack of effort. “You see that fire in him when he is playing football. He definitely plays with a little chip on his shoulder,” says Regis Jesuit Head Coach Danny Fillman.

He created a deadly running tandem alongside his cousin, Kiahn Martinez, who is currently a Junior at Regis Jesuit.

Kiahn grew up with DJ in Colorado, the two shared many experiences together and both constantly pushed themselves to be better football players. Kiahn actually decided to come to Regis Jesuit because of his older cousin, and they have always looked out for each other.

“Me and DJ always talk, if one of us is struggling, we pick each other up. That’s my guy, I love him to death,” said Kiahn. “He gets on my nerves though,” he added with a laugh.

(Kiahn is slated to carry the torch at running back next year after DJ graduates.)

Then, as DJ started his final season of football, the unthinkable happened. DJ partially tore his ACL in the fourth game of the season. At first, he knew something was wrong, but refused to admit that he could lose his final season, especially

stuck in the house outside as the guns were reloaded. So, while near the line of fire, on the ground shielding two others from bullets, still recovering from a torn ACL, DJ also made sure that people had a chance to escape during breaks in the fire. He found a quick second to escape out of the only possible exit, throwing the two girls out to safety with him.

After safely getting to his car, he realized he had been shot in the leg, but knew he had to make a quick exit as more shots rang out nearby. As he entered his car, a group of police pulled in front of him.

With guns drawn, they ordered DJ to exit the vehicle.

“I was more scared of the police than the people shooting at that point, because I already knew what was going on in the world,” he said.

An officer yelled at DJ, telling him he had three seconds to get out of the car, but DJ had a problem with his keys. “I was trying to tell the officer my key was stuck in the ignition, but he was not hearing it. Then he started counting down, so it was either get out of the car or be the next black man on the news, unarmed and dead. I thought ‘forget it,’ and hopped out the car,” DJ said. As he tells it, another officer came up and cocked his shotgun, threatening to kill him if he moved.

DJ spent the rest of the night at the police station, he was questioned and eventually released, delirious from the

you love something, no matter your liv“When ing situation, if you grind for it you gonna get

it.

with offers from schools on the line. DJ somehow managed to play two more games on the injured knee, but fully tore his ACL and meniscus, sidelining him for the rest of season.

Things took another turn for the worse as DJ decided to go out with some friends one weekend. They decided to drop by a small party they had heard about. DJ had just thought he was going to kick it with some old friends, but the party had blown up with people once they arrived.

A fight started to break out, and the crowd gathered around. Suddenly, guns were drawn and shooting started. From what DJ saw, four people started shooting. Two girls that were at the party stood nearby DJ as the shots rang out (The two have chosen to remain anonymous due to the nature of the situation).

The girls, who are close friends of DJ’s, were stuck behind the line of fire. DJ immediately tackled both of them, shielding their bodies from the fire with his own. “I’m glad DJ was there because I don’t know if I would have been able to get on the floor as fast as I did. He likes to say that he didn’t do anything, but I’m pretty positive he saved both of our lives” said one of the girls.

Bullets had hit the wall right above where the three were lying down. “Had I would have still been standing up, I would have been hit for sure,” she said.

DJ also somehow managed to instruct others that were 36 Spring 2018 | Vol 3 Issue 3

PERIOD blood he had lost from being grazed by a bullet on the leg. DJ, among many other things, is a black teenager in America. He was raised knowing that the system may not always favor him, and that some people may be quick to judge him based on his race.

“I’m a black man, I got dreads, so I’m already “threatening” as they say. I go to Regis, but you won’t know that unless I tell you. You would probably think I’m part of a gang, smoke drugs, sell drugs, probably have a criminal record, been to juvy once or twice,” DJ explained. “Being a black man, no matter where you are in the United States, when you are born, you already told you are gonna go to jail. You already set up to go to jail, they got you a bunk and everything. Try not to be a statistic.

That’s something I was always taught- Don’t be a statistic, don’t give people something else to put against you when they want to take you down,” he continued.

The narrative changes as DJ starts talking with someone. “I’ll have a sophisticated conversation with someone. I’m telling them my dreams, my aspirations, how I want to be a doctor, blah blah blah. They hear my vernacular and they are shocked, then I tell them I go to Regis. They are like, ‘Oh wow, a black kid from the hood made it in to Regis? How? About to graduate from Regis? How?’ No matter where I go a white woman will clutch her purse, no matter what it is. I could be trying

“

to help like ‘oh, you dropped this.’ But they are going to automatically take me as a threat because of what society paints us as. I just wish it wasn’t that way, because not all of us are the same,” he said.

The young football star has seen plenty of gang violence in his time and has encountered plenty of gang members throughout his 18 years. He has had friends die at the hands of gangs, and watched as many other friends joined gangs themselves. Both of the shootings that DJ described were at the hands of gangs.

“I was never in a gang, I never thought about joining a gang. I have never been influenced by a gang, because my mom always preached to me that it wasn’t right and kept me on the right path. I had an older friend that joined a gang, but he made sure I stuck to going to school, doing this football thing. Everybody else sees it before you see it when you’re younger,” DJ said.

Even with the stream of violence that is associated with gangs, DJ asserts that gang members can be some of the most positive members in their communities.

“No reason is good to join a gang, because it all has bad consequences. But a lot of those kids (like me) don’t have a father figure, so they are looking for that male role model in their life.

You hear your friend got shot up, your friend’s house got robbed, he got his shoes taken, that guy got his chain snatched. You ask yourself, ‘am I gonna be next?’ So a lot of kids seek out the gangs for protection. There are young minors looking for protection and love and guidance, but they are just getting the wrong kind,” he said.

There is no doubt that, since his time as a young child in Alabama, DJ is climbing the ladder to success. He attributes most of his success to his mother, who raised him and his two sisters and built a lifestyle from very little. DJ’s two little sisters are dancers, and they travel for competitions. DJ is planning on attending a preparatory school next fall with hopes of playing college football in the future.

From here, the sky is the limit for Da’Veion Jackson.

37

A Year, A Season, A Team to Remember A Recap of Regis Jesuit Hockey’s Historic Season Story By: Colton Barry ‘19 Photos By: Katie Butefish ‘20

Twenty-three wins, zero losses. A perfect season. The Raider’s hockey team not only dominated their way to capture their fifth Colorado High School State Championship Title, they did so without losing a single game. Unforgettable is one way to describe the Raider’s season, and there were several huge moments that helped spring Regis Jesuit towards victory.

Disappointed from their loss to Valor Christian in the championship game of the fall hockey season, as well as the memory of their defeat in last year’s State Championship game to Monarch High School, the Raider’s were out for vengeance as the season got underway. In their first five games of the regular season, the team outscored their opponents thirty-four to four. The complete domination did not stop either, as the Raiders continued this pace all season. Led by coach Dan Woodley and Captain Shane Ott, the Raiders won all but two games by two goals or more.

They were able to defeat both rivals Monarch and Valor Christian several times during the season, outscoring the Coyotes and the Eagles thirteen to six, including Valor in the Colorado High School Hockey State Championship by a score of two to zero. The Raider’s season did not end there however.

They paved their way to nationals in Minnesota in March. They had many memorable moments there, including presenting a banner to Stoneman Douglas High School, the victims of recent tragedy, as well as being the runner up for the national championship.

So what does it take to be a team filled with so much success? The first step was setting goals.

38 Spring 2018 | Vol 3 Issue 3

“Our main goal was the state championship,” says coach Dan Woodley.

Every day of the season, except game days, the Raiders were at the ice, working hard and demonstrating good work ethic and leadership. “The team was a really good character team,” says coach Woodley.

The team didn’t have major injuries and never had issues concerning bad attitudes. The Raider’s also set personal goals for themselves.

Senior Captain Shane Ott said, “My personal goal was to produce and be better than last year,” about his desires for his season and Junior alternate Captain Rowan Barnes set his goal to be “All-state” as he fell just short of that achievement last year.

While both of their goals were accomplished, they never took their eyes off of their main goal, a state championship. In order to complete their goal, they did not make their season about themselves, but rather helped lead their team and let the results come on their own.

The Raiders really just tried “to get better each and every practice,” as put by both Shane Ott and Coach Woodley, and let the winning come second.

With so much leadership, dedication, and energy going into every day of their season, the Raider’s were also able to create a lot of memories, on and off the ice.

From the simple bus trips to Chicago and Minnesota to the Teddy-bear toss against Cherry Creek, the players did a lot of fun activities this season. “I really enjoyed the bus rides. I feel like during those times, I bonded with my teammates and we just had a lot of fun,” says junior goalie Marco Sandoval. In addition to the bus rides, the team also volunteered at Children’s Hospital Colorado and had an overnight stay at the Boy Scouts of America where they did things like leather work and learned how to shoot a bow and arrow, and went to the gun range and learned to shoot some of the ranges’ guns. They did all of these things to improve their chemistry as a team.

With their drive to win, the skill each player had, as well as the tight bond between the team, winning seemed inevitable.

The hockey program at Regis Jesuit has done a lot of similar activities in the past, like the Teddy-bear toss for example. What separated this team from previous Raider teams? “The one definitive thing this team had that was different than most was their ability to come every day and work hard,” says Coach Woodley, “There was never a day where the team had a bad work ethic.” Other than being “a really good character team,” and always giving 100% on the ice, the hockey team also had a tremendous amount of skill. “One thing that stood out on this specific team was our defense,” said Shane Ott, “(the team) played great team defense and were able to keep pucks out of our net all season, which then was a good transition to our dominant offense.” With a defense that let in only 19 goals all season, combined with a juggernaut offense that scored 157, the Raider’s season is definitely a season for the record books.

39

St. Ignatius Loyola Church church, where serrano stayed while in St. Ignace, Michigan.

Photos courtesy of: Mr. Aric Serrano

ON A PILGRIMAGE FOR LIFE

THE JESUIT JOURNEY TO DISCOVER TRUST IN GOD Story by: Carina Morroni ‘20

Mr. Aric Serrano was one of hundreds of homeless men, After the first year of this formation process, the young men, lying on a bunk bed and staring into the dark, his mind wandering called novices, go on a pilgrimage. They receive a list of places back to the previous day. He was supposed to be 534 miles from here they are to visit, a piece of paper describing their task, five in Des Moines, Iowa, visiting the church where he received his first dollars, and a bus ticket and are sent on a two-and-a-half week communion. And yet, somehow, he’d ended up here in a homeless journey across the country. Any money they earn along the shelter in Lansing, Michigan. way, they have to give to charity before moving on to the next

He’d never been homeless a day in his life before now, and it city. was humbling to say the least. He’d reluctantly handed over the back Only a few days earlier, Serrano had begun his pack holding all his possessions, and was told to take a shower and pilgrimage in St. Ignace, Michigan, told to find and pray at the put on the clothes the shelter provided. He wasn’t truly homeless, he grave of a Jesuit missionary. During those first couple days, supposed, as he would soon return to the Jesuit novice house in Louhe stayed with the priest of a local church, speaking at many isiana to resume the normal Jesuit novice duties. But for Masses, at the priest’s request. now he was stranded in Michigan, his bus having been

The parishioners were very generous and he accepted canceled, with no money and no idea what to expect.

I begged for mon- the money with a smile, even knowing he’d have to give it

“Of course I was scared. But, there’s a verse ey in bus lines. Peo- all away before leaving St. Ignace. Relying solely on God in the Gospel of Matthew that says to not worry about ple would give some was difficult, to be sure. tomorrow, as tomorrow will take care of itself. I found change, a dollar if I “They need to learn these lessons of radical depenconsolation in that,” Serrano recalls. dence on God to be a Jesuit. Our call is to go wherever He was lucky”

In the first few days of his pilgrimage, he’d leads us,” says Father Tom Rochford SJ, ‘66, chaplain at already started to learn what it meant to truly depend Regis Jesuit High School. on God for everything. He literally had nothing in this

There are many purposes for the pilgrimage, includmoment, yet he trusted God would provide everything he’d need. ing helping the novices discern their vocation and begin to live

The process of becoming a Jesuit priest takes about 11 years, out the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. But, according more or less depending on the individual’s journey. to Father Tom, the most important goal is for the novices to

“

Pat h to 1.

B ec A Je omi suit ng

Novitiate The novice spend his first two years discerning his vocation through volunteering and learning about The Society of Jesus.

40 Spring 2018 | Vol 3 Issue 3

2. First Studies After pronouncing his vows, he spends three years studying philosophy and theology.

3. Regency He works two or three years high school or college.

learn to trust in God’s plan. They can’t plan ahead, having to simply follow wherever God leads them.

The tradition of sending Jesuit novices on pilgrimages was started by the founder of the Jesuits, St. Ignatius of Loyola.

Ignatius called himself “the pilgrim”, going on many pilgrimages himself during his lifetime. The first of these was his famous journey from Loyola to Manresa, having just recently converted.

Many of the aspects of the pilgrimages today come from Ignatius’ pilgrimage, on which he gave up the wealthy life he’d had and decided to completely hand his life over to God.

This tradition, however, has only recently been restarted. Only 44 years before Serrano’s own pilgrimage, a Jesuit named Father Dick Perl was sent on the first pilgrimage in centuries. He spent ten weeks, traveling around both the United States and Mexico, as he stayed with strangers, hitchhiked, asked for work, and was filled with astonishment at how God works through the generosity of other people.

“One of the basic thrusts that Ignatius had for his novices when he sent them out with no money was: ‘God will provide,’” Father Perl wrote in the story of his pilgrimage. “And how God did provide for me.”

Father Perl, on his own pilgrimage, experienced poverty both in his own life and in the lives of the people he met. And it was in the midst of that struggle that he learned to truly depend on God. This sense of trust he developed guided him through the rest of his life, which he spent entirely dedicated to working with the poor. The pilgrimage is not just a one time experience, but one that the novices will carry through their lives as they surrender themselves to God.

On his pilgrimage, Serrano went from Michigan to Iowa to Nebraska, ending up in Louisiana. In every place, as he got off each bus in a new and foreign city, he learned to give his pride entirely to God.

“I begged for money in bus lines.

People would give some change, a dollar if I was lucky,” Serrano recounts.

Each day was another test of his trust in God. Serrano never knew if he’d get to eat that day or if he’d have a place to stay that night. Plans could change, and he

years as a teacher at a Jesuit

could end up somewhere entirely different than he intended. He could arrive at his next destination at one in the morning and have nowhere to go, standing alone in the cold night air. Someone could give him the wrong directions, and he could end up going in the complete opposite direction of where he wanted to be.

The only thing Serrano ever knew for certain was that God was with him, always, guiding his steps and watching over him.

Four and a half years later, Serrano was sent here, to Regis Jesuit High School, hoping to teach music. What he found upon arriving was a need not just for a music teacher but also a theology teacher.

He’d not planned on that. Instead of saying no and simply sticking to what he’d been expecting, however, he decided to trust that he had been sent to this school for a reason. He accepted the position and has discovered a surprising love for teaching freshman theology.

It was on his pilgrimage journey that Serrano learned these lessons of trust and dependence that have carried him through his life as a Jesuit so far. He will stay at Regis Jesuit for two more years before moving on to study theology, and pronounce his final vows to be ordained a priest. Beyond that, he has no idea where he will go. But that’s exactly how it was on his pilgrimage, which in many ways, is a model of the rest of his life as a Jesuit.

While he may not be homeless, and will have a place to stay and food to eat, like all Jesuits Serrano must always be ready to surrender his plan to follow wherever God will lead him, just as on the pilgrimage.

“I was empty-handed enough to be ready for God, only to find that He was surprisingly ready too… way more ready than I was,” comments Mr. John Guerra, reflecting on his own recent pilgrimage.

The pilgrimage shows the Jesuit novices that God has a plan. On this journey, they learn to confidently follow wherever He leads them, knowing He will provide for all their needs. But it doesn’t end there. After the pilgrimage, this trust in God allows the Jesuits to live their lives as servants and missionaries, called to bring God’s light to the world.

4. Theology He prepares for ordination by studying theology for three or four years. Once ordained he is given a full time apostolic work assignment.

Through the Years

Serrano on his pilgrimage with the first Jesuit he’d ever met, Fr. Rob Kroll, SJ.

A Benedictine convent near Covington, Louisiana, the last place Serrano was sent on his pilgrimage.

Serrano’s journey: mapped.

5. Tertianship After a few years as a priest he reaffirms his Jesuit vocation through retreat and volunteer service.

After this, he pronounces his final vows.

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FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME Story: Xavier Ribota ‘18

Black eyes, broken bones and broken hearts. What else would you expect from an unrelenting tactical team of rugby players? John Dowling assistant captain for the team, says

“Rugby isn’t just a sport it’s an entirely different lifestyle.” Waking up at the crack of dawn is an impossible task for any regular student who spends their nights studying, to these elite players it’s their daily routine.

“I wake up before the sun is even out, I have a hearty breakfast to fuel me for the upcoming day of practice, morning practices are brutal playing at game speed in 30-40 degree weather definitely wakes you up.” Says Justin Martin. With any sport at Regis Jesuit comes an eternal bond with their teammates. “It’s a very inclusive team building game.

What other sport do you huddle and link with one another only to ram into the other team together?”

Says Justin Martin. “As far as the brotherhood, you meet most of the players at school, so you have that interaction in general, on the field we are another community, I am very proud of having the friends and teammates have now, this community I can take with me even after I graduate. Being a Senior now, I can see how everyone can gain something from one another,

Rugby might not be a ‘praised’ sport at Regis but to me it is where I spend my free time, it is where I am the most happy.” With the Rugby team having such a strong connection on the field it was strengthened as the rugby team recently flew to Ireland to compete with teams from all across Ireland. “Ireland was a lot of fun we hit the ground running, we left Denver at nine in the morning go to Philadelphia for a 7 hour layover and then another 6 hour flight to Ireland,” says Junior player Leo McCabe.

“I was able to meet and become friends with people I otherwise never would be friends with, rugby has brought me to a country where this sport is quite literally their lives, it’s been a nice opening experience.”

Along with the experiences the team had in Ireland skills were the biggest thing that the team took out of the trip. Being one of the few sports with little to no body protection raises the question what rules are in place to protect these players? “Special hit areas are in place so that you don’t hurt anyone, safety is everything in this game surprisingly, if you’re doing everything right then you shouldn’t get hurt, of course there are freak accidents that happen like things you can’t control and this can cause the majority of the injuries you see, but it isn’t as rough as people think sadly,” Says Leo.

After scoring 68 points against Arapahoe in the state quarter finals the Raiders head to take on a strong team in Palmer for the Semi Finales.

Last time these two teams met it was a hard fought battle with the Raiders on top only winning by three points.

42 Spring 2018 | Vol 3 Issue 3

RUGBY’S ETERNAL BOND

Action from the Raiders 24-22 win over Dakota Ridge during the regular season. Photos: Katie Butefish ‘20

What we can learn from J Cole and Lil Pump Chris Faber ‘20 Every 25 years or so, a new generation of people are born into this world to lay waste to the society that was built by the people before.

Or at least that’s how some people see it. With every generation comes its pop stars. Beyoncé, Justin Bieber, J Cole, and, like it or not, Lil Pump. Comparing J Cole, the 2000’s “golden boy”, and Lil Pump the blue and pink dreaded rapper with a knack for repeating choruses ad nauseam, seems cruel. However, recently the two have butted heads over tracks off of J Cole’s latest album KOD and Lil Pump over his preferred method of a sound cloud release. On “1985,” J Cole presents himself as an experienced elder. He never specifically calls out Lil Pump, and his lyrics could be a general criticism of the culture as a whole and not a specific attack on Lil Pump. However, Lil Pump responded with an Instagram video calling J Cole a “washed up rapper”.

For context, Lil Pump is only 17 years old and is younger than many students at Regis Jesuit. His successes as a rapper should not be understated. In only a few years he has made appearances on 2017’s XXL freshman list, a list of the newest and “hottest” rappers, and on Billboards Hot 100 with his mixtape Eskeetit. J Cole has had multiple platinum albums including 2014 “Forrest Hills Drive” which premiered at no. 1 on the Hot 100.

A lesson we could all learn from the J Cole and Lil Pump beef is that advice we receive from our elders is valuable. We should at least listen. Through a different lens, Lil pump can be seen as a rebellious teen objecting to the societal norms and pressures put on him. He could also be seen as a naive kid who shouldn’t be taken seriously. In either case, one things stays constant, Lil Pump is young and still developing. In direct response to J Cole’s 1985 track, Lil Pump made a video on social media congratulating J Cole for insulting a 17 year old.

However this feud seemingly started when Lil Pump released a song in April of 2017 jokingly mocking J Cole in typical Lil Pump fashion, by repeatedly bashing him over and over and mumbling indistinguishable phrases while an abrasive and bass heavy trap beat played in the background.

So which is it? By making this track he surely would’ve known he would turn some heads and catch the attention of J Cole, but when J Cole responded, Lil Pump attacked him for making fun of a “17 year old”. Clearly Lil Pump is having identity issues, because he wants to act like an adult, but be treated like a child. This is where our lesson starts to become clearer.

How should we as people of a similar age group as Lil Pump respond to similar criticism from our parents and/or teachers. Should we take the Lil Pump route and hide behind our age. Or should we use the criticism as advice and guidance. A deeper look at 1985 shows that his criticisms are actually advice. The message of 1985 summed up is don’t blow it, keep it simple, and count your money. He even says that he respects Lil Pump for having fun. At a concert, J Cole even stops his own fans from chanting insults at Lil Pump.

So if we can Learn anything from this feud between Lil Pump and J Cole it’s that we shouldn’t let our own biases and naiveties cloud our judgement. Advice is advice and it does matter whether we decide to use it. As generations pass, new ideas arise and old ones die out. Unfortunately, it’s not until the time has passed and the advice is no longer relevant when we finally realize we should’ve paid attention. So the best advice I can give you is to not let your opportunities go to waste and to not wait until the time has passed to use the guidance you were given.

THE LAST STRAW

Olivia Bachmann ‘20 We use straws every single day, but I never realized how harmful they really were to the environment until a friend once jokingly told me, “Don’t use strawsthey kill the turtles.” But when I ended up researching this, it turned out that it was true. Plastic straws are one drop in the ocean of human waste. These tiny tubes can be found in a turtle’s nose, skewer a penguin’s stomach, and even be consumed by humans when we eat fish who have ingested plastic as well. Plastic straws in the ocean end up eliminating about 1000,000 marine animals each year.

We as Americans use enough straws to wrap around the earth 2.5 times a day.

Fortunately, an environmental group right here in Colorado is doing something about plastic straws that harm the marine biome. In Boulder, EcoCycle is the headquarters for the “Be Straw Free” campaign, where the founder, Milo Cross, is advocating for the “offer first” policy, which is now used in a few restaurants. Despite this, we are still slurping out of these toxic life-suckers. Why? Well, it doesn’t help that fast food industries are the main source for plastic straws. It is estimated that McDonald’s alone uses at least 60 million straws daily world wide.

We are constantly surrounded by straws as well and have therefore fallen into this unhealthy habit of grabbing a straw with every drink. I often catch myself sipping out of a straw and never give a second thought when I throw them away.

We cannot afford to keep doing this. Marine animals are important. And they’re dying. If we continue to be ignorant about this drastic situation, we may potentially lose valuable ecosystem services such as food provision, medicines, and livelihoods. I encourage you all to think about the dangerous consequences one straw can do to the environment the next time you drink out of your Starbucks cup.

Let’s create safer alternatives. Let’s challenge others to vow to never use straws again. Stop sucking, and more doing.

Go sign the pledge at www.plasticpollutioncoalition.org to end the use of plastic straws.

OUR DOORS ARE ALWAYS OPEN COMMENTS, QUESTIONS, IDEAS?

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OP-ED ARE NBA SUPER TEAMS REALLY SUPER? Sam Stern ‘20 While some people believe that the league is heading in the complete wrong direction, others believe super teams are providing a very entertaining experience. A portion of the viewers believe that all the talent being showcased on the court is very influential to league revenue and ticket sales. Who would not buy tickets to see the Golden State Warriors with Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, and Kevin Durant?

The NBA super team epidemic has really been a point of emphasis the last couple years because of the economic disadvantages, recruitment differences, and overall unfairness of the league. With LeBron James and Kawhi Leonard highlighting the free agent market this coming offseason, it is going to be interesting to see if the league makes any substantial changes soon.

If changes are not made soon, get ready to sit back on the couch and watch the same teams competing for the title for the next decade. It is time for the rest of these teams to yank the reigns away and turn this league into a competitive league. Entertainment. Excitement.

Interest. In the words of the NBA, “This is why we play.” In the fans words, “This is why we watch.”

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44 Spring 2018 | Vol 3 Issue 3