Ignite Magazine Vol. 1 Issue 1 | October, 2014

An RJ MEDIA publication Regis Jesuit High School | Aurora, CO

Vol. 1 Issue 1 | October, 2014

REGIS JESUIT | RJ MEDIA OCT, 2014 | 1

RJ MEDIA STAFF

RJ Media operates as a limited-open forum for student free expression. The publications are for the students, by the students.

IGNITE MAGAZINE

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.

PULSE MAGAZINE Megan Jones ‘15 ............... Editor In Chief Mary Bach ‘17 & Rebekah Hale ‘18 .............. Managing Editors Emily Butler, Amber Dalton, Jillian Desmond, Aliah Humphrey, Katie Lewis, Alyse Harris ,Margaret Sykora, Olivia Ary, Lydia Davidson, Charlotte Gutrich, Janelle Hagan-Davis, Clara Lavandier, Savannah Leisegang, Jennifer Menjivar, Madeline Merritt, Skyler Mydler, Riley O’Connell, Kiana Perry, Adriana Sanford, Lori Thompson, Hannah Trotter, Charlotte Visser, Rachel Zinno................................ Editors Tara Mehryar ‘15.......... Contributing reporter

RJTODAY.ORG & SOCIAL MEDIA Nathan Shutts ‘16............... Editor In Chief Noah Sakr & Mason Stragey ‘16 ..................... Managing Editors Katie Lewis ‘15, Megan Jones ‘15 ...........Managing Editors Partick Britti ‘17 & Mason Scheer ‘15 .........Associate Editors

RJTV Mason Scheer ‘15 , Corinne Price ‘17.............. Executive Producers Matt Shanahan ‘16 .............Lead Engineer, Technician Noah Winston ‘18, Jade Valenzuela ‘17 . ..............Associate Engineers Partick Britti ‘17 & Max Zahringer, Cristian Adams ‘15 .........Lead field reporters Emily Aberle, Maggie Bunsness, Alexis Christopher, Clair Conley, Gillian Duncan, Dominique Ebedes, Maddi Emerson, Madison Griggs, Alexis Gutierrez, Amanda Miller, Chloe Morton, Riley O’Connell, Bethany Pfeiffer, Alex Piro, Kaelyn Scheer, Samantha Smith, Alex Cotner, Katie Templeton, Katie Vaeth, Julia Vitella, Erica Worley, Dylan Able, Jack Brown, Austin Campbell, Austin Chouinard, Ryan Cochran, Tummy Daly, Nick Decker, Ty Dorsey, Ace Escobedo, Tommy Gaessler, Zach Gerken, Daniel Hogan, Chris Linn, Jared Marien, Connor Murphy, Daniel Naes, Erich Nuss, Matthew Roark, Drew Schlegel, Jared Worrick ................................ Reporters

RJTV SPORTS NETWORK Tyler Ballinger ‘16.............. Lead Announcer, Producer Drake Emlong ‘16................Lead Producer, Engineer Charlie Smith ‘16 ...............Producer Jack Brown , Ryan Maxfield ‘16 .................. Lead Announcers Sam Bornhorst ‘17 ..............Announcer Alex Osredker ‘16, Patrick Britti ‘17, Noah Sakr ‘16, Myles Murphy ‘18, Patrick Heffernan ‘17........Camera Operators

ADVISERS Adam Dawkins ‘98 & Jason Ell ‘04

IMPRESSIONS Tommy Coughlin ‘15, Riley O’Connell ‘15 .................. Lead Editors John Koerner, Ian Wuertz, Sadie Wuertz .................. Managing Editors John Johnson & Deb Sneddon .................. ..Advisers

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. The advisers advise. The students make the decisions.

The publications advisers will not act as a censor or have final say in determining the content of the newspaper. Rather, the advisers will teach journalistic skills and guide the students in making sound legal and ethical decisions. The publications advisers are the faculty members who teach the journalism courses and advise the RJ Media clubs.

School officials, administration or faculty and staff, likewise, 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: In cases where there is the possibility of coverage on any one of the following three topics, the student reporters and Editorial Board will work closely with the school president and the divisional principals on coverage and content decisions.

1. Obituaries 2. Crimes and situations that are currently in the court of law 3. Termination of employees The following content is not authorized in any student publication in any way, shape, or form: 1. Expression which is obscene; 2. Expression which is libelous, slanderous, or defamatory under state law; 3. Expression which is false as to any person who is not a public figure or involved in a matter of public concern; or 4. Expression which creates a clear and present danger of the commission of unlawful acts (as defined by state or federal law), the violation of school regulations, or the material and substantial disruption of the orderly operation of the school or which violates the rights to others privacy or that threatens violence or property to persons.

The views of columnists are not necessarily those of the newspaper staff. Opinions will be published on designated pages or otherwise marked.

In the event of error (or omission, misidentification, etc.) the Editorial Board will attempt to mitigate the damage. Every reasonable precaution is made in avoiding errors, but some amount of error is perhaps inevitable. Each case will be evaluated on its own merit. The Editorial Board welcomes questions, comments, concerns, and complaints.

Reporters for RJ Media will always identify themselves as functioning in that capacity before an interview or a survey. It is not our intention to catch people in embarrassing or misleading questions. The editors reserve the right to correct gross grammatical errors in quotations, if the source’s meaning will be distorted without such editing. Otherwise, quotations will be reported as stated by informed sources.

Sources will not be allowed to read the final text of any story published by RJ Media prior to publication. Reporters may read back quotations to sources, and will follow up with sources who wish to supplement their initial interviews.

They will also follow up on anything that may be unclear or needs further explanation or comment before use in a story. The Editorial Board will consider the relative experience of the source in dealing with the press in each case.

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.

EDITORIAL POLICIES

Colin Byrne ‘16 ............... Editor In Chief Champ Martinez ‘16 ........Managing Editor Cristian Adams, Cole Ancell, Jack Doherty,Carlos Gomez, Stephen Haag, Davis Handler, Matt Houghtaling, Grant Johnson, Kyle Johnson, Alec Jotte, David Morroni, Noah Sakr, Mason Scheer, Squid Schmitz, Ben Steyaert, Mason Stragey, Max Zahringer ................Editors Enzo Abott ‘15, Riley Cosgrove ‘18, Nick Sangalis ‘18, Nicholas Pieseski ‘17, Patrick Kenny ‘16, Sam Russell ‘16, Luke Barbier ‘17 ........ Contributing reporters

TABLE OF CONTENTS THE GREAT BURRITO BATTLE................................... ....... 4 ARMED SCHOOL SECURITY...............................................6 JAMES FOLEY.................................................................8 GAME,SET, MASS ..........................................................14 JESUIT VOWS: SEAN FERGUSON......................................16 MORE LIVES LOST - DRINKING & DRIVING.................... ...18 YEAR OF THE ARTS CELEBRATES CREATIVITY.....................20 GUY GIBBS RETURNS FOR MENTORSHIP SERIES................22 BLOOD,SWEAT & TEARS: ELIJAH WARREN........................24 MR. MARK ONSTOTT- LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD......26 ONE TO ONE iPAD PROGRAM UP AND RUNNING................28 GOLF CAPTAIN JACK LAZZERI..........................................30 STORY OF ONE MAN: GAVE CHUNG..................................32 DAY FOR OTHERS..........................................................34 SENIOR LUNCHES.........................................................36 ARE YOU INFORMED ENOUGH TO VOTE?...........................38 UNDERSTANDING WORLD CONFLICT................................40 HOMECOMING PARADE & PEP RALLY...............................44 OPINIONS....................................................................46 LOTS MORE ....................................... ........RJToday.org

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR - WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! Letters to the editor are welcome and encouraged, but will only be published if they are accompanied by a name and signature. Letters should be short and free of “bashing” or obscenity. Letters to the editor do not reflect the views of the newspaper 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 rjmedianetwork@gmail. com or in the RJ Media Lab (PAC-102).

Photo by: Luke Barbier ‘17

THE GREAT BURRITO BATTLE

For years, these two rival restaurants have sparked debate on which is better. Regis Jesuit students take a shot.

By: David Morroni ‘16 and Champ Martinez ‘15

C

aesar Reyes, manager of Chipotle, checks his watch. 12:30. The massive line of Regis Jesuit students is already flowing out the door of his burrito haven. Just across Parker Road, yet another car with an RJ bumper sticker pulls up at Qdoba, ready not only for burritos, but also to catch up with a friend, general manager Ben Reiners.

“We want to give our customers more of a personal experience when they come into our restaurant,” said Reiners.

Qdoba does not just focus on having fast service, they want to build a relationship with their customers. Many of their customers choose to come to Qdoba, day after day, just because of their relationship with the staff. In a similar way, Chipotle tries to establish these relationships, but it is more difficult due to their longer lines, and their effort to satisfy people with speedy service.

Qdoba and Chipotle have a similar story. Both were founded in Denver, Colorado, the burrito capital of the USA. With just a few years separating their birth, the competition rose early in their lives.

With a two-year head start, Chipotle had already made the step to serving around the world. Qdoba, on the other hand, is still just a regional restaurant.

“We are currently making steps to becoming a nationally serving company,” Reiners said.

Just recently, on September 24th, Qdoba made one of the biggest changes in their history. The newly released menu is simpler and contains more options than before. Now, extras (like queso, guacamole, and barbecue sauce) will not cost you extra cash.

Although Qdoba has more options on their menu (a huge factor is the “Craft Two” option), Chipotle claims to focus more on quality over

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63%

Chipotle

21 th

quantity.

One of Chipotle’s main focuses is on Food with Integrity.

“Most of our food is bought locally, but we do import from countries like Mexico, Chile, and Peru to ensure authentic tasting food,” general manager Ceasar Reyes said.

According to their mission statement, they find the very best ingredients, and respect the environments in which they were raised. The animals are not mistreated or given any hormones.

They are allowed to roam freely. Also, most of their meats are locally bought.

The restaurants similarities have created a continuous burrito battle.

All things considered, though, they both have their strengths. Qdoba seems to focus more on building relationships and giving a wider array Left: Ben Reiners, general manager of Qdoba, serves a line of Regis Jesuit of selections, whereas Chipotle seems seniors quickly with a cheerful smile. to be more conscious of where they get their ingredients, and more dedicated Above: After enjoying their authentic Mexican food, a group of seniors finish to satisfying a speedy crave.

their lunch at Chipotle, trading laughs and discussing their day.

Photos By: Champ Martinez ‘15

Chipotle

37% Qdoba

210 Regis Jesuit students were asked whether they preferred Qdoba or Chipotle.

vs

Qdoba

Chicken Burrito/Tacos(with Guac) $8.05 $7.80 Steak Burrito/Tacos(with Guac) $8.45 $8.40 --On entrées, Qdoba does not charge extra for any additions.--

REGIS JESUIT | RJ MEDIA OCT, 2014 | 5

WOULD WE BE SAFER? The Armed Argument

The debate continues with the administration split over whether or not to hire an armed security guard for Regis Jesuit’s campus.

By: Alec Jotte ‘15

S

itting in his social studies class at Arapahoe High School on December 13, 2013, Andrew Carlson made some quick, last minute preparations to his presentation. He set up in front of the class and began.

But his project was abruptly interrupted by multiple thunder-like cracks. Carlson looked over, puzzled, but his gaze was met by a similar expression on the face of his teacher. “Is that a part of your project?” the teacher asked.

As Carlson began to say no, the school counselor burst through the door asserting, “Everybody get down, get inside, get to the nearest wall away from windows.” Cowering in the corner of their classroom, waiting for help to arrive, fear resounded throughout the school.

After thirty minutes of unbearable silence, SWAT teams barreled into the classroom and the students were escorted out of the school. Carlson recalls looking over his shoulder as he sprinted away from his class.

“You could see blood. We were so close. We could hear screams. We could hear everything,” Carlson said.

Now nearly a year after the shooting, noticeable changes have occurred around the school. The hiring of several additional armed security guards is only one.

Regis Jesuit High School has been heavily involved in the debate over whether or not to hire an armed security guard for its campus throughout the course of the last two years. It has concluded against it.

The final decision not to hire such a guard was made by the President of Regis Jesuit – Father Steele, SJ.

“I don’t know that the evidence is all that clear that the presence of an armed guard on a campus like ours is going to divert violence,” Father Steele said in a phone interview.

However, many disagree with this stance. Among these is Mr. Ross Bruce, an ex-police officer who has served fifteen years in law enforcement, thirteen of which have been with SWAT. He has also spent three years as a Security Resource Officer in Frederick High School in Weld County, Colorado and has been a firearms instructor for nineteen years.

“If the security guard is properly trained through a program that is sound, then yes, I absolutely believe that the school should have that person armed,” Mr. Bruce said.

The polarity on this issue is very apparent within the school, and as the faculty struggles internally with the debate, an overall consensus is nonexistent.

33%

No

67%

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Would You F eel Safer if Re gis Jesuit had Armed Securi an ty Guard on C ampus?

Yes

Results based on a poll conducted from 206 students and faculty from both Boys and Girls Divisions.

?

Photos By: Alec Jotte ‘15

Especially within a Jesuit Catholic community, the question takes on larger repercussions about the messages that are being sent out to the wider community and the way we live.

“Why would we arm? Well because we are fearful of something. And we would be sending a message about our willingness to live in fear,” said Boys Division Principal Mr. Carruthers.

The debate, however, is ongoing, and with the departure of Father Steele at the end of this school year, it is something in which his successor will be a heavy player.

“You have armed guards for the purpose of killing another human being. And killing lives to save lives to me doesn’t make a lot of sense. I’m going to believe in all life, not in some lives.”

“I don’t know where we’re headed in the future,” Chair of Regis Jesuit Safety Team, Ms. Lotito said. “But this topic will always be at the forefront of all our discussions.”

Even though an agreement doesn’t seem to be in the near future, all involved know that the debate will continue to be an important and recurring discussion.

“Do I think the dialogue here is over? No, I don’t think so,” Mr. Carruthers said. “But the Jesuits and the Jesuit community are not in a position right now where they are ready to arm employees of Regis Jesuit High School.”

“We have armed guards on campus. For games, for dances. And we aren’t panicking for games or for dances. But for everyday, it’s a problem.

Suburban spree school shootings - they don’t happen at Prom, and they don’t happen at Homecoming, and they don’t happen at basketball games. They happen during the day.”

REGIS JESUIT | RJ MEDIA OCT, 2014 | 7

21st CENTURY EVIL

By Jack Diaz Doherty ‘16 Murdered. This is a common word amongst journalists who report overseas. Journalist James Foley was 40 years old when he was brutally beheaded by the terrorist group ISIS. Posted on YouTube, and almost immediately taken down, a video of his death surfaced. Shortly after, another journalist, Steven Sotloff, was also beheaded on camera.

Until his kidnapping in Syria in 2012, Foley was a passionate journalist who traveled the world hoping to tell the stories of suffering people.

A Jesuit educated journalist, Foley was described as a man shaped by his faith and his roots.

Having spent time working in inner city schools while working with Teach For America, Foley always had a drive to help the people who could not help themselves.

‘Committed to Doing Justice’ is an essential part of the ideals of the Jesuits. Although he was not completely driven by his Jesuit roots, Foley always knew he was going to help people. That is what made him an amazing journalist- he wasn’t there for the attention, or his ego, he was there to let the people of America know about the suffering of people all around the world, and that it is wrong to ignore them.

Foley believed in this cause, so much that he gave his life for it, and that will never be forgotten.

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JAMES FOLEY- 1973-2014 Photo by: Jonathan Pedneault Tripoli (Libya) Airport, August 2011 Continued on next page...

REGIS JESUIT | RJ MEDIA OCT, 2014 | 9

Foley in Syria, 2012

Photo by: Manu Brabo

E

ight years of conflict reporting in the middle east pre-9/11. Two years in Afghanistan after 9/11. Five years in Iraq, as well as Afghanistan.

1997-2001 in Jerusalem, 2011 coverage of the Cairo uprising in Egypt and 25 years total of overseas reporting. That’s Charles Sennott’s resume, once a foreign correspondent for The Boston Globe, now the co-founder of GlobalPost.com, and a pioneer in online journalism. Sennott knew James Foley better than most, along with his profession, conflict reporting overseas. He knows the risks reporters take every day, simply to report the truth back home.

“I think that every correspondent who covers conflict has a different set of very human reasons why they go,” Sennott said in a phone interview.

Whether it is adrenaline, ego, or the passion for social justice, as Sennott put it, everyone has a reason. Some may make more sense than others, but to the reporters who do go, their passion for journalism is a powerful force. For those who are overseas for the adrenaline, they are most likely young, curious and most definitely brave.

When someone goes to an area of conflict, depending on where they go, they can get a lot of attention, and it can boost ego.

For Foley, it was more than that. He attended Marquette University, a proud Jesuit institution. He committed himself to helping others for a long time. This is what made Foley such an outstanding reporter in Sennot’s opinion.

“I think that what drove James was a very human

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desire to care for others, to tell their story, and to be a witness to the suffering of the Syrian people in the middle of a war,” said Sennott regarding what drove his friend to take on this dangerous mission.

The loss of Foley was a shock not only to his friends and family, but to the world.

Indrani Basu, a young Indian reporter just out of Columbia Journalism school, who now works for Global Post, wrote a powerful article about Foley even though she never met him.

“For the first time, I was in a newsroom where one of the team members had died on the field. What happened with him hit closer to home than ever before for me,” said Basu in an email interview.

Foley’s death affected almost every aspect of Basu’s life, especially since she hopes to one day be a conflict reporter like Foley.

“Will I do the kind of overseas work Jim did? Time and opportunity will tell, but I don’t think my willingness has changed - maybe even strengthened in the process,” Basu said.

The brutality of ISIS has been occurring in Iraq and

Syria for quite sometime, but this is the first time that they have struck the United States so deeply at its core.

Charles Sennott has hope for the world’s stance against ISIS. He cared about Foley and has faith that the world does too.

“I think the world sees these people slaughtered the way they have been and is repulsed and outraged by it,” he

Journalist Killed in 2014: by cause and number per country. Statistics by The Committee to Protect Journalists MURDERED

CROSSFIRE

SYRIA: 3 PAKISTAN: 3 PARAGUAY: 2 LIBYA: 1 SOMALIA: 1 UKRAINE: 1 BRAZIL:1 BANGLADESH: 1 MEXICO: 1

SYRIA: 5 ISRAEL AND THE OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN AREAS: 4 UKRAINE: 3 IRAQ: 2 EGYPT: 1 DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO: 1

said. Sennott later said that this has impacted the journalism community very harshly.

“I think we need to be fearless about going forward, but also very cautious to make sure our people are safe.”

ISIS thrives on chaos, they thrive on the suffering of the innocent people of this world, and, in the end, Sennott had one more thing to say about the evil:

“We can’t let them win.”

ON DANGEROUS ASSIGNMENT IRAQ: 3 SYRIA: 2 AFGHANISTAN: 2 UKRAINE: 1 BRAZIL: 1 CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC: 1

Aleppo, Syria – 08/12

Syria 2012

Photo by: Manu Brabo All Photos used with permission from freejamesfoley.org/for the press/

Photo by: Nicole Tung REGIS JESUIT | RJ MEDIA OCT, 2014 | 11

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Reporting: profile, feature, multimedia

GAME. SET. MASS.

TENNIS TEAM FINDS FOCUS THROUGH PRAYER

By: Riley Cosgrove ‘18

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A

s the Varsity Tennis team for Regis Jesuit High School sits in the Boys Division chapel, they reflect on their past week, in tennis, as well as everything else.

Every Wednesday for the first half of lunch, the varsity tennis team, along with head coach, Mrs. Laura Jones, attends mass said by Fr. Dyer, SJ in the Boys Division Chapel.

“I use this time to think about my spiritual life, and how I make myself grow during mass,” says Erich Muss, a player on the Varsity tennis team.

With the help of prayer, as well as a great team, they have only lost one game this season, as well as coming in second in both of the tournaments they have played in.

“Mass is a nice quiet time that we get to spend together,” Coach Jones says. “A lot of what we do is spread out with a lot of activity and a lot of loud noise. Mass is a great opportunity to step back from that and spend time together quietly in prayer.”

The team bonds together on and off the court. Whether it is actually playing tennis, attending mass, or just hanging out, it all brings them together. Even though the mass isn’t the only thing that brings the team members together, it plays a big role.

“The mass helps us become closer to god when we are on the court. It also helps me prepare for each match, as well as to grow closer to my brothers,” Luca Abbot, a varsity starter.

The team looks forward to becoming even closer as a team, and as friends, throughout the rest of the season.

“Anytime that we pray together we are asking God to help us be the best we can be, and so I hope that that is an added benefit that our players get,” Coach Jones said.

The team finished fifth in state and took home the CHSAA Sportsmanship Award.

Photos: Riley Cosgrove ‘18

REGIS JESUIT | RJ MEDIA OCT, 2014 | 15

SEAN FERGUSON’S CALL TO THE PRIESTHOOD

O

By: Cole Ancell ‘16

ver the summer of 2014, Sean Ferguson ‘12 fulfilled a life altering milestone that he had been working towards for years to accomplish and that will carry him to incredibly unique and unbelievable new experiences.

In the town of Grand Coteau, Louisiana, Ferguson knelt before an altar and pronounced his perpetual vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience to God.

This was a very emotional day for Ferguson, due to the fact that this moment was a culmination of everything he had worked and dreamed for the past four years.

“Thinking about the day still gives me chills. I can’t help but to express my gratitude to God for bringing me to this point in my life,” said Ferguson.

Ferguson looked to Jackie Maxfield and Nick Fagnant to help guide him on his spiritual Journey.

“Both Jackie and Nick came into my life Junior year after Kairos when I was still struggling with the loss of my father who had passed away at the end of my sophomore year,” Ferguson said.

“They were both there for me in a big way, helping me process and grieve, and those relationships developed into a space where I could talk about something that I had kept hidden away, my gut feeling that I was being called to the Jesuits.”

For Ferguson, Maxfield played the role of a firm

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Sea and Sch and guiding presence.

“She wasn’t afraid to call me out and I really appreciated the honesty,” he said.

“Through many after-class chats and some lunches, Maxfield became my source of inspiration to take the risk and apply.”

On the other hand, Fagnant was Ferguson’s devil’s advocate.

“He left no stone unturned when it came to discerning this call,” Ferguson said.

“Through our conversations, I felt confirmation that this was the right move.”

Fagnant felt that Ferguson heard his call to the priesthood through the relationships that he had with his peers.

“Seeing the needs of his friends emotionally, personally, and spiritually I think really helped him see that call,” Fagnant said.

These people may have been role models for Ferguson through his high school career, but what made Ferguson special was that he taught them just as much.

Fr. Kevin Dyer, SJ came to Regis Jesuit during Ferguson’s senior year, after Fr. Chris Pinne, SJ left to go to Rockhurst High School.

Dyer replaced Pinne’s spiritual influence within Ferguson’s life, and along the journey learned some valu-

Sean Ferguson ‘12 (right of Mrs. Jackie Maxfield) with Mr. Nick Fagnant ‘02, Fr. Kevin Dyer SJ, Fr. Phil Steele SJ ‘66, and some of Sean’s closest friends from the class of 2012, Wes Hackemer, Matt Alley, Joe Mullins, Sam Miller and Ben Schmachtenberger. able lessons from Ferguson.

“I think I learned from Sean the importance of maintaining relationships with people and always having an open heart towards everyone,” said Dyer.

Fagnant learned patience, passion, and forgiveness from his strong relationship with Ferguson.

“Sean loves everybody exactly how they are and then loves them into being better people, and he is very much a role model to me in that aspect,” Fagnant said.

As a Jesuit, Ferguson’s initial goal is to get in the classroom again, but this time as an instructor.

“I love the classroom, the students, and the joy of teaching and learning,” Ferguson said.

“I’ve found that I have learned so much from the students I’ve had the honor to walk with so far.”

With all this said, Ferguson is only on the verge of this new chapter in his life, and there are incredible things yet to come.

“I truly believe that in everyone’s life there are moments when God asks us to jump, to take a step into the total unknown,” Ferguson said.

“We spend so much time wondering and doubting our own potential, our own gifts, when sometimes all we have to do is trust God and say yes.”

Ronny O’Dwyer ‘01

What were your motives to join the Jesuits?

- “Even as a student I felt a tug on my heart to do something special for God and for the world.”

- “While at Regis Jesuit I felt that the Jesuits were in the business of changing lives.”

- “Fr. Ralph Houlihan, SJ embodies the kind of priest I hope to be. Authentic, a kind and generous teacher, and a man of prayer.”

Brian Strassburger, SJ ‘02

What were your motives to join the Jesuits?

-“Ignatian spiritually is so important to my faith and prayer life.”

-“The Jesuits run educational institutions all over the world, which have a profound impact on society and culture.”

-“Fr. Tom Valequette, SJ used gentleness and humility which touched me greatly.”

REGIS JESUIT | RJ MEDIA OCT, 2014 | 17

A roadside memorial stands near the site of the deadly crash in that took the lives of high school seniors Ryan Pappas and Beau Begier on Labor Day. The teens were riding in the car with a drunk driver. | Everyday in America, 28 people die from drunk driving crashed. On average, eight of them are teenagers. | Photo By: Patrick Kenny ‘16

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MORE LIVES LOST Teenagers, Alchohol & Cars: A Deadly Combination By: Patrick Kenny ‘16

Y

ou probably drive by one everyday, only to give it a few seconds of thought.

Perhaps not even that.

It’s often marked with a cross with the words “RIP” or “Never Forget” engraved in the wooden post.

Roadside memorials are all too common in America today. Sadly, many of these lives were taken far too early.

On Labor Day of this year in Monument, Colorado, two high school seniors, Ryan Pappas and Beau Begier were killed in a DUI crash. They were traveling 80 mph in a 40 mph zone in an area of the Black Forest known as Roller-coaster road. They blew through a stop sign, and, just a second later, they hit a bump and lost control of the car.

They headed into the trees where the car was instantly transformed into a ball of metal. Ryan and Beau did not make it out. Their friend Mitchell Clark was taken to the ICU and is currently stable. The driver was arrested and faces accounts of vehicular homicide. He will be charged as a juvenile.

That day, there was a service at Palmer Ridge, the high school the boys attended. Susan Pappas, Ryan’s mother, stood in front of the community just hours after her son had passed. She had one message.

“I could stand up here, and your parents can tell you until they are blue in the face to not drink and drive. But there will never be a change unless it comes from you guys. You guys have to look out for each other and not let someone get behind the wheel if they have been drinking.”

She continued on, saying, “Everyone makes mistakes. I don’t support underage drinking, but I understand it

happens. Just please look after one another.”

The number one killer of teens is car accidents. By far. Forget murders, sickness, or drug overdoses. Car accidents kill. There’s no other way to put it: cars are a deadly weapon. When you mix in alcohol, they become even deadlier.

Accidents happen. Sometimes it’s hard to understand that, but they do. Unfortunately, many teens die from DUI crashes, something that is completely avoidable.

On average, eight teens die every day from a DUI crash.

When a teenager hears the ‘no drinking talk’, they often roll their eyes at the parent. ‘It’s not that harmful,’ they say, or ‘I’ll be careful with it.’

Still, About one and six teens drink alcohol. Although, only one in 100 parents believe their kids drink.

High school students try to bend the rules and oftentimes hide information from their parents. When it comes to getting behind the wheel of a car, some teenagers would rather risk driving to their destination drunk than call their parents to come get them because they don’t want to get in trouble or are embarrassed or ashamed.

The bottom line is that teens are the only ones that can make a change. To put an end to these tragedies.

Just a week after the deadly crash, at Ryan’s funeral, his father stood in front of Ryan’s friends and

“I could stand up here, and your parents can tell you until they are blue in the face to not drink and drive. But there will never be a change unless it comes from you guys. You guys have to look out for each other and not let someone get behind the wheel if they have been drinking.” - Susan Pappas

family. At the end of his eulogy, he delivered the same message his wife gave a week ago.

“We need to make sure that this stops, so that no one else has to go through what we all are going through. So no one has to feel the pain that you and I feel today.”

Underage drinking is serious. If there is drinking, avoid driving under the influence at all cost, designate a driver, arrange a ride, or refuse to get into a car with a driver that has been drinking.

Call your parents. Parents would be glad that you called instead of taking the risk. It sounds crazy, but it’s true. You might get into trouble, but you will live.

In an interview with another mother of one three teens the mother stated ,“I would be disappointed in my kids if they drank but thrilled if they ended up calling me instead of getting behind the wheel.”

One mistake could cost you your life or the life of someone that you care about. You might end up in jail.

There are no positive outcomes from drinking and driving.

It’s not worth another life lost.

REGIS JESUIT | RJ MEDIA OCT, 2014 | 19

RJ CELEBRATES CREATIVITY IN THE ARTS, SHOWCASES ARTISTRY

By: Patrick Koenigs ‘18

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Freshman Xavier Ribota thinks about his next computer coding move. | Freshman Drake Morley

finds art and creativity in the study of science. | The cast and crew of Jesus Christ Superstar performs a flash mob on the steps of the PAC lobby at lunch. | The Guitar Club plays extended jams at lunchtime.

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he ‘Year of the Arts’ dares to prove that the world around us is a canvas for our imagination. It empowers students by introducing them to new forms of self expression.

When we think of the vague three letter word, “art,” what comes to mind is typically drawing, music, or theater. But Mr. Sean Powers, SJ, who leads this new initiative, explains that it’s so much more.

“Everyone has some kind of gift for creativity,” he says. “It might show itself in mathematics, it might show itself in a sports game, but the hope is that in one way or another, throughout your time at Regis Jesuit, students can really come to understand that what I’m doing is creative, that what I’m doing is imaginative.”

This new project is not just about supporting the art programs as we think of them today, it’s about finding artistry in everything we do here at Regis Jesuit.

“We want to have people who aren’t familiar with the arts, maybe aren’t comfortable with the arts, to be a part of this as much as someone who is a traditional painter or musician or actor,” Mr. Powers says.

Freshman Xavier Ribota sees the artistry in his passion, computer concepts. “Coding translates my thoughts in a way words can’t,” he says. “It’s this language that says everything I’m feeling.”

Drake Morley, also a freshman, is fascinated with science. “In science, you can discover the wonder in the world,” he says. “It makes you think about who the first artist was, the first creator.”

The school’s new Performing Arts Center, with its state-of-the-art classrooms and 485 seat theater, is the perfect place for this creativity to come alive.

Since it’s opening earlier this year, the PAC has become one of the most crowded areas on campus. During any break, it becomes nearly impossible to navigate through the sea of people laughing and talking. In the chaos,

Photos: Patrick Koenigs ‘18

imagination runs wild.

Just last month, the cast and crew of Jesus Christ Superstar surprised students on the first floor lobby of the PAC by breaking out into a flash mob. During lunch the next day, the Jazz Band gave a concert on the lawn, stopping students in their tracks.

On Friday November 21st, Regis Jesuit will host “The Power of The Dream,” where faculty and alumni can share their talent and passion for the arts. Tickets are only $7.50 and all profits go to scholarships.

Candice Bergeron, who graduated in ’06, will be in attendance. The RJ alum is set to star in Enduring Grace, a profound ballet set to Tchaikovky’s transcending score “Serenade for Strings.”

The dance company Wonderbound partnered with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra to bring the classic piece to life (you can buy tickets on their website).

YOA is about making every voice heard.

Throughout the year, the club will host band concerts, flash mobs, film festivals, and more to give students an outlet to express themselves.

Whether performing in Jesus Christ Superstar or playing in next weeks football game, the program encourages students to pursue their passion and to acknowledge the creativity in what they love.

To find out more about upcoming events, or if you want to suggest an idea of your own, check out the YOA Activities Page on RJ’s website.

Art is everywhere on campus. Now it’s about making that art come alive.

REGIS JESUIT | RJ MEDIA OCT, 2014 | 21

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uy Gibbs stood energetically in front of dozens of people on Wednesday, September 24th, sharing his life stories with Regis Jesuit High School students, faculty and fellow alumni in the RJ Media lab. In the backdrop stood an old-fashioned football helmet and plaques that Gibbs had been awarded for his many achievements, which include his induction to the Colorado Sports Hall-of-Fame.

The 85-year-old legend, class of ‘47, spoke inspirationally on a myriad of subjects that moved his audience, while managing to deliver some jokes as well. He showed his love and appreciation for his alma mater, a school which helped him grow not only as a person, but as a man with and for others.

“Be nice to people and work hard,” Gibbs said in his speech, reminding us to ask ourselves, “Is the world a better place today because I was here?”

In his speech, Gibbs had two main statements that he thought summarized his life.

“(I am) the luckiest person who ever lived and the personification of being in the right place at the right time,” Gibbs said. Gibbs attributes obtaining his career to these two reasons, since he feels that his luck helped him become a high school teacher when he had never taught before in his life. Gibbs attended Regis Jesuit from 19431947, returning to teach and coach from ‘56-’84.

“I loved to come to school everyday,” Gibbs said about teaching at his alma mater. “The association with the teachers and the students was always really great.”

“I know that when I was going to come out here and do this little program, there were so many things that I’m not sure I could even scratch the surface on, both as a teacher, coach, faculty member, because the faculty members when I was here were wonderful,” Gibbs added. As a student, Gibbs said, “You had the great, great times in the classroom and the teacher’s room. We’d probably miss behave just like kids would.”

Gibbs is mostly known at Regis Jesuit as a thoughtful, wise, kind and humble man who not only attended the school, but loved it so much he came back to teach and coach after graduating from Colorado College in 1951. He spent some time in the Marine Corps, and then left to become

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involved with the insurance business.

However, he discovered that he would be a lead candidate for the Regis Jesuit basketball coaching position, and he leaped on the opportunity, later becoming the coach of football and track and field. He wore many hats at Regis Jesuit, having stints as the Athletic Director, Dean of Students and as a college counselor. He went on to spend 26 years as an official for the Western Athletic Conference as well.

While at Regis Jesuit, his teams won at least half of their games in all but 2 seasons of his 1956-’84 coaching career as the coach of football, basketball and track and field. When he retired, Gibbs held the record for most wins by a Colorado coach, with an overall record of 473-156.

He was known for being an inspiring coach who brought out the best in his players.

“I think the hardest part of coaching for me was we had probably the worst luck at the end of some basketball seasons, and, as a coach, you always remember the losses,” Gibbs said.

However, Gibbs did not lose often. He retired with a career 75.2% winning percentage.

“The people who get the most out of being an athlete are the ones who don’t start, the ones who have to come to practice everyday, persevere, be a part of a team, know that they’re helping the team be successful,” he said. “They get a lot out of it, because that’s the way life is.”

Gibbs credits his mentor and Regis Jesuit football, baseball and basketball coach Lou Kellogg for his innate gift to teach and coach his students and players with passion and pride.

“I can remember sitting in a classroom, thinking I would like Lou Kellogg’s job,” Gibbs said. “I always wanted to be Lou Kellogg.”

Gibbs has been described as an influential teacher and coach, and his impact is still being realized by his former students today.

“He understood young men in competition better than anyone I ever knew,” Simon Peter O’hanlon, class of 1965, said about his algebra teacher and basketball coach. “He understood exactly what he wanted done, and he knew he was very good at identifying players who could get it done for him.”

O’hanlon further described Gibbs, noting three words that embodied the legendary Regis

GUY GIBBS, CLASS OFSPEAKS1947 TO STUDENTS DURING

ALUMNI MENTORSHIP SERIES By: Nick Sangalis ‘18

Jesuit alum: wisdom, humility and vision.

“Winning the state title in 1964,” O’hanlon said when asked about his favorite Guy Gibbs memory. “In ‘65, when I wasn’t able to play for the team, Guy allowed me to be a scout.

And he listened to me as a I theorized how we needed to beat Mullen, who had a great basketball team. He went along with everything I suggested.”

Gibbs did not receive approval from all of his family members when he first decided to get into teaching and coaching. His mother did not respond well to her son going into such a occupation.

“(My mom) wasn’t proud of me, she was devastated,” Gibbs said. “She tried to talk to my fiancée at the time, saying don’t let him do that, he’ll be poor his whole life, and my wife said ‘I want him to do what he wants to do.’ So I think my mother finally reconciled the fact that it was probably okay.”

The decision to teach and coach paid off for Gibbs, who enjoyed every waking moment of getting up out of bed and going to Regis Jesuit to do what he loved every single day.

Gibbs was gracious enough to enlighten Regis Jesuit with his presence everyday when he worked at the high school, and renewed this enlightenment for students and faculty alike on Wednesday, September 24th.

REGIS JESUIT | RJ MEDIA OCT, 2014 | 23

BLOOD SWEAT AND TEARS ELIJAH WARREN

By: Cristian Adams ‘15

Hemophiliac athlete Elijah Warren brings his talents to Regis Jesuit and promises to give his all in the pool and in the classroom.

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s the cold wind blows in from the mountains on an early Tuesday morning, Elijah Warren’s alarm goes off. It’s 3:45 am. This isn’t uncommon in his house -every Tuesday and Thursday Elijah has to get up for his morning work out with Denver Swim Academy.

Every other day Elijah has to take an IV for his hemophilia treatment. Being a hemophiliac means that your body cannot produce the platelets required to stop the flow of blood if the person gets cut or bruised.

“I would have to get up before 4 or 5 a.m., so I can take my IV, then I would be good for my medication, I take my medication every other day to prevent bleeds.” Warren said. He has Severe Hemophilia A, which means he has less than 1% of clotting factor 8 in his blood. Therefore, his treatment is one of the most intense for people with Hemophilia A.

The incredible thing about this young man is that he is not defined by his condition. Warren is the top swimmer in the freshman class and is expected to accomplish more than one top 8 finish at the upcoming state championships in May.

“He has excelled in swimming, he is one of the best swimmers in the nation, he works hard every day, he leads by example, he has great character, and he is

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Photo By Cristian Adams ‘15 just a good guy,” senior captain Quinlin Stuart said.

“He has always been a person who shows great character in the pool and on the deck. He is an extremely self driven young man that has high goals for himself and does every thing he can to achieve those goals,” head Coach Nick Frasersmith said.

Although, what really touches people about Warren is his character - a true Regis Jesuit man who embodies what it means to be a good Jesuit student.

No one can go through a life like this alone.

Luckily for Elijah, the entire Warren family has walked with their son the whole way. Jen Warren, an ex-gymnast, has been the lead in Elijah’s athletic career, not only as his dry-land coach but also his mom.

“My athletic background has taught me things to teach him. Everyone has challenges. Elijah’s hemophilia is something he will live with the rest of his life.

That shouldn’t stop him from having goals and accomplishments to set and reach for,” Jen Warren said.

This is a very athletic oriented family, from mom, to son, and daughters. Elijah also has three sisters, two of them gymnasts and one a swimmer. His oldest sister Savanah, age eleven, placed fifth overall in the state as well as qualified for the regional competition in Texas.

“When she was a gymnast she had a lot of ac-

complishments and that makes me want to work hard to follow in her footsteps,” Savanah Warren said of her mom.

Elijah has not only his strong body to keep him going, but a strong family behind him to help him keep going when times get tough. The RJ community has stepped up as his home away from home, coming from his troubling past he and his family are pleasantly surprised by the nurturing nature of Regis Jesuit High school.

“As I have gotten into high school I have accepted that is who I am and I have gotten more comfortable with this, and I have been talking to my friends about it and informing them about what it is because that’s who I am. I was reserved about doing this interviewat first because I didn’t know if I wanted everyone to know about this, but when I thought about it, I realized that this is who I am and what I have to deal with, and now I am a lot more comfortable with it,” Elijah said.

Mom agrees.

“As Elijah has gone into Regis, I feel like I see something new starting in our life, I feel like I can step back a little bit. He is handling it a lot on his own now, he is opening up about it to his friends which is huge because this is something he has never done that before,” Jen Warren said with tears in her eyes.

“We just did the hemophilia walk and a whole bunch of friends came out to support him, many of them from Regis.”

Elijah puts everything he has into everything he partakes in, he has already taken the time to distinguish himself during the RJ Swim and Dive of season weight training. The 2015 RJ captains have nothing but great things to say about Elijah.

“I love training with Elijah because he is one of the first guys to really push you in the water. I honestly think he has pushed me in my swimming career because i really want to compete with him and be as good as him,” said senior captain Chris Morales.

Elijah has touched the heart of his teachers, teammates, friends, and most importantly his family.

“Having a brother with hemophilia makes me more aware of how I treat others, and because he has hemophilia doesn’t mean he is any different than anyone else,” Savanah Warren said.

Elijah has shown people through his actions that just because he has a serious condition, doesn’t mean he is any different from us as an athlete, student, and person. He will continue to give it all: blood, sweat, and tears.

Photos from Top to Bottom: Elijah Warren practices his powerful start in the bubble. Photo by: Cristian Adams ‘15 and Noah Sakr’16; Jen Warren shows us an old newspaper clipping of her Colorado state title victory; Savanah Warren practices her Bar routine during practice.

REGIS JESUIT | RJ MEDIA OCT, 2014 | 25

DEDICATION AT ITS FINEST

A CLOSER LOOK AT REGIS JESUIT SPEECH AND DEBATE COACH MARK ONSTOTT By: Nick Pieseski ‘17

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f you ever want to see true dedication, Regis Jesuit High School’s Speech and Debate teacher Mark Onstott is definitely a good place to start.

He has been part of a speech and debate program as a student, coach, and mentor for almost 50 years in Colorado schools.

Onstott began his career in speech and debate as a student under his mentor, Stan Dunlap, and then continued with it through college. He started his teaching and speech and debate career at Smoky Hill High School, then moved to Eaglecrest High School a few years later to start a program there.

In 2005 was hired at Regis Jesuit to start a speech and debate program, and has remained here for the past ten years. Since then, the team has won multiple state championships, including last year’s competition where he was also awarded the Lifetime Achievement award from CHSAA.

Mr. Onstott was awarded the Lifetime Achievement award at the state speech tournament, in front of his students and his wife. The award represents the longevity and dedication throughout his career, from his time on a Speech and Debate team as a freshman in high school through his senior year in college, as well as the multiple programs he started at other schools, and finally in the last ten years of his

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career here at Regis Jesuit.

Rachel Oakes, a student on the Regis Jesuit speech and debate team, said, “Mr. Onstott is an amazing amazing leader. I think this is mostly due to his deep love for his students. His first priority as a coach is the growth of his students. He is willing to work with kids and is dedicated whole-heartedly to them.”

It may be hard to imagine staying with one profession for so long, but Mr. Onstott focuses less on doing it as job, and more on the skill set that he is teaching the students.

“I think its important to be able to get up, be in front of an audience, be comfortable, be organized.

I think on the debate end, teaching kids organization, analysis, and logic is very important. The vast majority of people don’t like to get up in front of an audience,” Onstott said.

Co-captain Reid Holben says of Onstott, “He is completely dedicated to Speech and Debate and will help anybody that is even remotely interested. Having done Speech for 45-odd years, he knows every event inside and out and can help anybody with anything they need.”

Without Mr. Onstott, our speech team wouldn’t be anywhere near where it is today. His students consistently place at the top of the list in multiple categories at regionals and state each year.

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FOLLOW ART TEACHER MR. TIM NEWOTN’S TRAVELS THROUGH EUROPE ON YouTube

When a video goes up, be the first to guess where Mr. Newton is, and win a $5 Starbucks gift card! Send your guess to rjmedianetwork@gmail.com

WHERE IN THE WORLD IS MR. NEWTON? SEE ALL OF HIS ORIGNIAL VIDEOS ON YOUTUBE WEEK 1 ..........Red Lodge, Montana WEEK 2 .......... Hungry Horse, Montana WEEK 3 .......... Okotoks, Canada WEEK 4 .......... Oregon with artist and brother Ron Newton WEEK 5 ........... Back in Colorado with grandson Hudson WEEK 6 .......... East Coast - Boarding the slow boat to Eurpoe WEEK 7 .......... Coner Brook, Newfounland > Red Bay, Labrador > Nanortalik, Greenland WEEK 8 .......... Iceland > Torshavn, Faroe Islands WEEK 9 .......... Bergen, Norway > Amsterdam WEEK 10 ........... Bruges, Belgium > Normandy WEEK 11 .......... Mot Saint McCael Abbey > The Loire Valley > Leon France WEEK 12 .......... Alicante, Spain

VISIT rjtoday.org/year-of-the-arts/ to watch Mr. Newton’s videos

WEEK 13 .......... Barcelona, Spain > Avignon, France WEEK 14 .......... Cannes & Nice, France WEEK 15 .......... Isreal

REGIS JESUIT | RJ MEDIA OCT, 2014 | 27

One to One Up and Running By: Mason Scheer ‘15 and Mason Stragey ‘16

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t is fourth period and juniors in chemistry huddle around the lab tables trying to stay on task, fighting the urge to click into Madden Mobile and break the record for the longest punt return.

Meanwhile, one classroom over, seniors use video physics to determine real life applications of projectile motion.

Regis Jesuit High School, starting this 2014-2015 school year has fully adapted a worldwide technological program: One to One.

The program calls for all faculty and students to have an iPad and use it for furthering the academic experience of all. Many schools, including Regis Jesuit, are turning to bringing technology in the classroom. In 2013 alone, over eight million iPads were sold for the purpose of education worldwide.

Teachers, students, and parents have all had concerns with the conversion to all iPads. Will this be a distraction during class? Can this program save money? Why must it be the iPad only?

It is to early to fully know the answer to these questions, but it is approximately six weeks into the new school year, and both students and teachers have each had their own individual experiences with the iPad.

Senior Derek Haase acknowledges that while the use of the iPad in the classroom can be distracting to some students, “The ability to consolidate notes and reduce the use of paper makes the iPad program an overall benefit to the school.”

Senior Brook Fisseha understands that in order for One to One to be successful, it takes a lot of patience and cooperation.

“If teachers and students are on the same page, the

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program will be a huge benefit to the school” Fisseha said.

The director of the One to One program in the Girls Division, Mr. Will Cropper ‘98, recognizes there has been glitches, especially with e-books.

Cropper knows that the program will always have problems that need to be fixed, but he’s also confident that

“Both students and teachers will find some innovative and incredible uses for the iPad in the future,” Cropper says.

Indeed, they already have.

Mr. Jason Beyer is in charge of the program in the Boys Division, and he could not be happier with how the program has gone so far. In his classroom, he has been satisfied with students being able to stay on task and complete notes in half of the time he anticipated. He does, however, also acknowledge the possible distraction of the iPad, and embraces it.

“I try not to fight it, because at some point, the iPad will win,” Beyer said. Instead, planning more

interesting lessons, and moving people around if need be is what he does to manipulate the potential for distraction.

Beyer takes into account that he believes the iPad can be a topic of morality too.

Enthusiastically grasping an iPad, he rhetorically asks himself

“How can this device make me a better person?” and suggests that others do the same.

As a Jesuit school, Beyer thinks that in this age of technology, the iPad

as pen and paper, can have major benefits as well.

Mr. Andrew Carroll, a Latin teacher, as well as an archaeologist who digs at sites in Italy during his summers away from teaching, endorses the importance of being able to physically write thoughts, ideas, or anything on a piece of paper.

“I think that some of the apps we are using are very powerful, but I also think that we are overlooking the benefits of older technologies, such as pen and paper, and benefits that

should be innovative for prayer as well.

“I’d rather find an oasis of peace and calm of prayer in a world with technology, than to make this world without technology,” he stated.

Though he does believe in the benefits of the iPad program, he attests to the advantages that not having technological prominence in the classroom.

“I understand the nostalgia of a simple life.

As a theology teacher, I see where a more simple life could be better,” Beyer said.

Sometimes, the more simple methods, such

have been proven with that,” Carroll said.

A new program is bound to have issues and growing pains at the start.

The iPad can potentially grow into a fantastic improvement to the way Regis Jesuit goes about education. Around every corner, those sources of improvement can be found, whether it is a visit to the STEM Center for technical problems, or a sophomore with a great idea.

With time, One to One has the potential to spring into a fantastic innovation, and it will.

REGIS JESUIT | RJ MEDIA OCT, 2014 | 29

CAPTAIN JACK A look into the life of Regis Jesuit Golf Captain Jack Lazzeri

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ho consistently shoots under par and wears the ‘C’ for Regis Jesuit Golf? Who won a state championship his Junior season? The answer is Jack Lazzeri.

Jack Lazzeri is the golden boy on this years State team. Playing four year for Regis Jesuit golf, Jack is focused on winning and leading the team.

“Jack has been extremely helpful this year because he lead the team in the right direction for us to win regionals, and league and is now helping us prepare for state,” Alternate Captain Kevin Shafer said of Lazzeri before the State Championship.

The team finished second in state, just short of a five-peat. Lazzeri, who has been a big part of multiple state championships, lead the way.

In a phone interview with John Kane, a

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By Grant Johnson ‘15

member of Regis Jesuit’s Golf team, he was asked what his best asset was.

“Probably his experience and his attitude on and off the course,” said Kane.

This leadership models what past captains have exhibited such as Wall of Excellence members Gus Lundqvist and Spencer Painton.

“When I watch Jack I learn how to control my emotions and learn how to have fun and not worry about my score rather just have fun and enjoy.

He’s a really fun player to watch, and learn from,” Kevin Shafer said.

Jack is one of four members on the state team last year that won the tournament with a demanding 18 strokes.

“State last year was an amazing experience. My goal for the year was to make the top four and qualify for State, and I did just that. I was constantly learning from my senior teammates seeing how they prepared

for everything from practice rounds to grind sessions because I was new to the show,” Lazzeri said.

Through the ups and the downs, Lazzeri kept his focus and helped the team in a huge way.

“Although I was nervous out of my mind, as you could tell from my scorecard, I think I started both days bogeying the first three because of nerves and then playing great after I relaxed, I was happy with the way I played,” he said.

The team went on to win their fourth state championship in a row that year.

“One of the nicest and reassuring things was after we won without using my score, Spencer Painton [who won state] took me aside and said “You know if we traded my scores in for your scores we still would have one?” That really made me feel apart of the team and that I earned that title.”

“Having him and Jake and Chris guide me through that season was one of the most memorable times of my years here at Regis Jesuit,” Lazzeri added.

The seniors of the team really got the program to focus on winning state. It was a rewarding season for them and an experience of a season for Jack last year. And this year, Jack was that inspiration for the younger guys.

Jack’s Favorite Course: Kukio Golf and Beach Club Jack’s Favorite Brand: Titleist Jack’s Favorite Club: A Putter his Dad gave him Jack’s Favorite PGA Player: John Daily Jack’s Pre-round Meal: Chick-Fil-A (#1, no pickles, Half lemonade/Sweet tea)

Photo courtesy of Courtney Oakes Aurora Sentinel.

Regis Jesuit Varsity Boys after a Regional Win. They finished with a two stroke lead.

Left to Right: Kevin Shafer (Sr.), Andrew McCormick (Jr.), Jack Lazzeri (Sr.), Bennett Rogers (Jr.) The team then competed for State on September 29-30. They finished tied for second in the state.

REGIS JESUIT | RJ MEDIA OCT, 2014 | 31

MY KOREA - THE STORY OF ONE MAN The life of one Dave Chung

By Matt Houghtaling 15’

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nother day goes by, yet nothing seems different. The world as we know it is still spinning around and around, but life seems like the same old thing for us.

Take a close look at the world around us, it is one that most of us seem to forget about.

How many of us take the time to read the news and see what really goes on in the world?

But for one of our classmates, life is a little different than the average American. Moving from South Korea was a big move, but this man has taken on the lifestyle of an American and adapted to the culture, while making big strides every step of the way and staying true.

This man’s name is Dave Chung. Living in South Korea is very different than America. And, living next to

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North Korea will give someone a different perspective on life. “Honestly I didn’t feel any different living South Korea. But, personally I would become worried when the news would talk about a possible attack,” Dave said.

North Korea, in the complicated political state that it is in, has many problems. As a communist country, almost all of its citizens freedoms are taken away. It has become a serious problem for them, but why does no one here in the United States seem to really notice?

Is it that America doesn’t want us to know what happens on the other side of the world? All we seem to hear about is the nuclear weapons that may

have to attack us with. We hear little or no detail on how they treat their citizens.

Almost anyone that escapes from North Korea sends money back to their family and friends to help them. As the problems remain constant in North Korea, living next to North Korea for Dave created some implications.

“Some people in South Korea seem not to care, but for me, I had to serve in the military for two years,” Dave said.

Life is very different for Dave now. Coming to Regis Jesuit has changed much in his life. He loves his life here. Being a Rowdy and a senior at Regis Jesuit means a great deal to him. In his fourth year at RJ, he has learned about us, our culture and ways of life.

Many things have changed for Dave.

Going from a shy freshman to the outgoing senior he is and being elected as a Rowdy speaks to his loud voice and his impression on the RJ community.

Dave has blossomed as a person in the process. But the journey was not always easy.

“Since it is senior year, students do not make fun of me for being Korean anymore. But in my underclassmen years, I didn’t enjoy students making fun of me for being Korean. It was a sensitive issue to me,” Dave said.

Diversity is a process at Regis Jesuit, and as a community we are trying to get people more involved in that process. We need to continue to see the world around us.

Dave lives with a host family, the Krenek’s Hunter 14’ and Miranda 17’. He has lived with them his three years here while his family has remained in South Korea.

“I don’t mind living away from my family,” Dave said, “because the Krenek family has truly cared about me and supported me with every way they possibly could.”

A lot of students tend to say Regis Jesuit has molded them into ‘men for and with others’. But when and how do we discover this? Dave has made his discovery. Regis Jesuit has changed him.

He came here with a different perspective on life, but he grown to appreciate Regis Jesuit over the years.

Dave said, “I learned that a lot of people truly care about me, and I truly care about my brothers at Regis just as much as they love me.

“I started to attend Regis to get into a good college and set goals for myself. But now I have more people to care and love other than myself. By growing into a man by the Grad at Grad principles.”

Looking deep down into yourself can really show people and yourself what you truly are. A lot of students talk about the brotherhood, but have they really found it? Dave has.

He has found a loving Regis Jesuit family that would do anything for him. He has the support from his friends who have helped make him who he is today, much in the way the Kreneks have supported him.

“The last four years have been the best experience I could have ever asked for. Honestly, I had such a huge fear coming into Regis as a freshman, but now that fear has turned into happiness.”

“That’s how much the experience in Regis influenced my positivity. I am the luckiest international student in the world,” he said.

Dave Chung 15’ enjoying his time on the beach in South Korea with his brother REGIS JESUIT | RJ MEDIA OCT, 2014 | 33

Raiders In Service By: Kyle Johnson ‘15

Eight-hundred Regis Jesuit Students head out to help the community on the Regis Jesuit Day for Others.

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en kids are standing around in a deserted alley. This situation may not be what it seems-they are picking up trash and painting over graffiti. These students are participating in the Regis Jesuit Day for

Others.

The day has been evolving over the years and in 2014 there where over 800 people who went out to volunteer at 50 sites in the Denver metro area.

There were also alumni who went out to do service in 7 cities around the country. And there were volunteer’s who stayed at Regis Jesuit and worked with the grounds crew.

Mr. Lechuga, the Service Director in the Regis Boys Division, helps organize the day.

“They were doing field maintenance and treating our trees and bush’s and trimming them back and picking trash up,” Mr. Lechuga said of the RJ crew. “It was very similar to what was done during the spring spruce up.”

This is Mr. Lechuga’s first year as the service director.

As for the volunteers off the campus, they worked with the 50 different organizations the Day for Others partnered with.

“There where some people who went and worked with organizations like EarthLinks and Feed Denver: Urban Farms who were gardening and working with organizations who were creating space for people to grow fruits and vegetables locally in a way that is affordable and gives access to those healthy food to those people who are impoverish,” Mr. Lechuga said.

Senior Steven Jackson and his family have been coming out and helping the with the Regis Jesuit

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“It is the only opportunity that we have where all of these groups come together with the express purpose of being in service to others.” -Mr. Lechuga, BD Service Director Day for Other’s since its first year when he was a sophomore. He volunteered at The Parks and Recreation for the city of Aurora.

“Day for others was definitely a very humbling experience. Even though I saw some pretty sketchy things when I was picking up trash, it brought me down to earth and helped me feel updated on what the rest of the world is like outside of my own world,” Jackson said.

It was junior Tristan Thomas first time volunteering at the Regis Jesuit Day for Others.

“I wanted to help people who are in need and I enjoy helping people. Also this made me realize how fortunate I am,” Tristan said.

He worked at the site Newborns in Need where he made care packages for mothers who didn’t have enough resources to provide for the baby.

“We put baby essential such as diapers, clothes, and blankets in packages,” Tristan said.

The Regis J Day for Others benefits both the community that we are serving and our Regis Jesuit community.

“The impact that it has on the Regis Jesuit community is that it provides us with a really special opportunity to come together whether you are a student or a parent or a faculty member or alumni,” Mr. Lechuga said.

A group of Regis Jesuit Families spent a day at the Tennyson Center picking apples for the children as well as pulling weeds to keep the ground clean. | Photo Courtesy of Tia (Director of the Tennyson Center)

A group of Junior students organized cloths at the Arc Thrift Store. They decided to take a break and dress up for a picture. | Photo Courtesy of Mrs. Broderick King

GIVE IT UP FOR CADRE! CONTINUE YOUR GREAT SUPPORT THIS YEAR EACH COLLECTION GOES TO A VERY WORTHY CAUSE

MIMA MUSIC MIMA MUSIC

MISSING INK

AND MORE GREAT CAUSES TO COME! JILL LAMB BREAST CANCER ASSISTANCE AND EDUCATION REGIS JESUIT | RJ MEDIA OCT, 2014 | 35

SENIOR PRIVI-LUNCHES By: Squid Schmitz ‘15 and Enzo Abbott ‘15

“Chipotle is number one right away. Going out for lunch very seldom do I see seniors at other places.” - Mr. Paul Malsam ‘83

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he clock hits 12:21 and Dean Doherty’s familiar voice comes over the intercom. This only means one thing for seniors: Lunchtime.

They quickly mumble their number to the teachers waiting at the door and then the race is on. A quick decision has to be made, hesitation will cause the line to go from 5 to fifteen minutes.

With so many options, where do students go? Surprisingly, the same places. The seniors want something cheap, filling and delicious. It’s amazing the tendency to repeat restaurants. If one soul is brave enough to try out a “Garbanzo” then the trend will spread quickly.

Next comes the struggle with income. Students wisely choose whether to get a drink or a water cup so they have enough money for that queso the next day.

“I am not willing to spend more than ten dollars,” said senior Brook Fisseha, “Anything more is extra.”

A fully loaded Chipotle burrito comes in at 8 dollars and 35 cents and seems to be the holy grail for students. With the perfect balance of value and quickness, it’s almost impossible to turn down.

Big food chains are popular, too. If there is a test fourth period, cars will line the McDonald’s drive-thru. This is so they can eat and still have enough time to cram the entire list of vocab words in.

And the trends aren’t new For generations, Regis Jesuit students have essentially been purchasing the same things.

“Taco Bell and Pizza Hut were really the only things that you could get in and out fast enough,” said Mr. Malsam, a 1983 Regis Jesuit graduate who attended the school on the North Denver campus.

Now with great lunch comes great responsibility, and being late may result in up to two weeks of suspension. This forces kids not to stray too far off campus for those other delicacy’s like Sonic.

Carrying the drinks of different restaurants into the building not only serves as a refreshment, but also as a symbol of status. Freshman, sophomore, and juniors alike see the cup and can only imagine when they will someday be enjoying the same freedoms.

When the bell rings twice to signal fourth period and students settle down in their desk, they must remember what the senior class has been through and that their chance of going “A.W.O.L” will come soon enough. Arby’s, Wendy’s, Orange Julius and Lark Burger, that is.

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We asked 100 seniors

Where do you go to lunch?

Chipotle: 23% Qdoba: 17% Chic-Fil-A:10% RJ Cafeteria:7% Five Guys:6% Which Wich?: 6% Peppino’s: 5% Freddy’s: 5% Panera:3% McDonalds:3% Smash Burger:3% Tokyo Joes:2% Subway: 2% Panda Express:2% Taco Bell/Pizza Hut :2% Schlotzsky’s:2% Golden Corral: 1% Home:1%

PHOTO: Imagery copyright 2014 DigitalGlobe, Sanborn, U.S Geological Survey, USDA Farm Service Agency. Map data copyright 2014 Google

REGIS JESUIT | RJ MEDIA OCT, 2014 | 37

BRAVING THE STORM Voting is a right and a privledge. Are you ready to cast?

By: Carlos Gomez ‘15

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he senior class of Regis Jesuit High School this year, like any year, is on the verge of the voting age. This class and the class after it, however, are a bit different than the rest.

Our coming of age coincides with or comes very shortly before the next big election cycle in 2016.

Because of this, there will be very short notice between your eighteenth birthday and your eligibility to be a voter.

An uninformed is a dishonest one. Being well-informed is the key to political literacy. But being well-informed doesn’t only refer to knowing about events in the outside world. Knowing who you are is essential and informs your political as well as daily decisions. Having a variety of different news sources from which to base decisions on is also a must when preparing to vote.

The credibility and purpose of the news source also play very important roles in establishing its quality. Some will inform you much better than others about current and relevant issues, often not the ones you’d expect.

Politics is a fluid, dynamic, flowing tapestry of opinions and ideas joined together through collaboration. Though they may share many, if not almost all, interests, each opinion is as unique as its professor.

Different issues hold different significance for different people. But there is one universal truth: you, as a United States citizen, will be granted, upon completing 18 years of age, the right to vote, the power to express your opinion and push the future of America toward one direction or another. This is a great power with great responsibility.

When you’re in the voting both, how informed will you be?

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News & Political Literacy Tips: 1.) Find a variety of news sources of different media (radio, TV, newspaper, etc.) [I suggest 2 of each medium] 2.) Though it may sound tedious, read different articles from different sources about the same topic. This will help you paint a better picture of what’s true and what’s propagandized or biased material. If many sources converge on a particular detail or theme, it is probably the most likely to be true.

3.) Identify your own biases. Ask yourself the questions. Keep asking why. Why do I [not] want to vote? Keep asking why until you reach an actual answer. How do I think I’ll vote, if I do?

Why do I think so? Where do my political beliefs come from?

Reexamine all of your major political convictions. Scrutinize them for any faults in logic.

4.) Once you’ve reexamined yourself, you’re ready for making your own decisions. Don’t be afraid to break from your parents’ precedent. It’s your life, not theirs. You make your own decisions.

5.) Read as much as you can about the candidates. Get a feel for who they are and what they stand for. Don’t worry about individual laws yet, unless they are of prime importance to you.

6.) Once election time begins to close, pay closer attention to their voting habits and remember as much as you can about them. This will become useful during their debates.

Remember: in order to cure a disease, there must always first be a doctor willing to brave its dangers. If you’re not going into politics, at least vote and be smart about it!

| Photos fair use Wikimedia Commons

Alec Burran ‘15 Q: What role does politics play in your life?

A: I’d say it plays a fairly substantial role. I care quite a bit about where the country is going and what will help it. I watch the news and I read the newspaper and try to get a grasp on it.

Q:And about how many sources would you say you gather your news from?

A: Well, I’d say probably three.

Q: Speaking of politics and news sources, do you consider yourself to be politically literate?

A: I do.

Q: Why? A: I think I have a fairly good knowledge of what’s happening in this country and what it’s doing as a whole and caring about its business as a country.

Q:Would you ever consider going into politics yourself?

A:No, no way.

Q: Why not? Why such a negative response? You say they’re interesting.

A: They are interesting, I enjoy them, I just think that they’re... corrupt.

Alexis Pineda ‘15

Q: What role does politics play in your life?

A: I kind of look up stuff and see how it will affect me and my family in the future.

Q: Would you say it plays a large or small role, currently?

A: Currently, in between, just because I can’t really do anything, since I can’t vote.

Q: So, that goes into my other topic. First of all, how many news sources do you read from?

A: I’d say three.

Q: Speaking about coming of voting age, do you think you’ll vote?

A: Most likely not.

Q: And why is that?

A: I just don’t believe in organized government.

Q: And why would that be?

A: Because I have fairly... anarchistic beliefs.

Q: Why is that?

A: I just believe that it’s a better system, although it doesn’t always work, it only works in theory.

Q: That brings into conflict why you won’t vote. You don’t believe in organized government, yet you know that it won’t actually work in reality. So, then, why not vote?

A: I just don’t wanna support it because I think it’s all corrupt.

REGIS JESUIT | RJ MEDIA OCT, 2014 | 39

WORRIES OF THE W

By: Davis Handler ‘16

Saxon Copps, Former BBC reporter, on Scotland Who is Alex Salmond?

“Well, I would say that Alex Samoan, he had spent his whole political carrier about 20 years of work, working for the nationalist movement. He is very much a nationalist. He was the spearhead behind the referendum, he kind of made it his life’s work to make Scotland a nation on its own.”

Do you think Whales or Northern Ireland will also try to dislodge from the U.K.?

“It makes total sense for them to stay in the United Kingdom for a many different reasons.

Scotland did democratically vote to stay in the United Kingdom. I don’t think they will want to separate because of all the benefits they receive from being part of the U.K.”

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Your quick guide to three of the world’s most important and impactful conflicts

RJ Social Studies teacher Chris McHugh on Isreal/Gaza

RJ Social Studies teacher Mr. Matt Best on Russia/Ukraine

It almost seems like democracy is not the answer . Do you think Israel and the U.S. should give up on it?

In your opinion why has Russia gotten so involved?

“We are never going to give up, especially the U.S. We are of convent distance to be saying, you should be doing that over there. If you are going to introduce the concept of democracy to a semi - literate society and a radical society, you are going to get extremist.

Israel has got to figure out a way to let Arab people into its state or else they are going to be a police state forever. Israel does not know what to do. If you’re not a extreme Jewish nationalist you are nobody in society. There is no moderation is Israeli politically.

The more outnumbered the Israelis get with Arabs the harder the more extreme Israel is going to get.”

“Its pretty controversial why. There are those who say Putin wants to recreate the Russian empire. In the early 1990s when the U.S.S.R. fell apart Russia because such a large entity, there were many groups who did not feel were fairly represented in Moscow. You have many groups who did break off, and I think Ukraine broke off a little to much. Also, after all of this happened Russia started to become less and less powerful. You see Russia is not even in the top ten of GDP in the world, so I think Putin’s game is to reclaim the glory of the old days by going old school with territorial expansion and trying to reclaim Russia.”

Does Israel need to respond to international agencies about breaking international law?

“Reason of State will trump everything else. Weather you are talking about human rights violations or other problems. International organizations are trying to hold countries to a certain standard. But Reason of State will always trump everything else. The international community can not make Israel do what it wants to do especially because we are in Israel’s corner. It’s like we can’t dislodge Hasad when Russia is in there corner.”

When Israel deals with Hamas it doesn’t seem like they have a concrete solution. What do you think Israel and the U.S. need to do cultivate peace in the region?

“It’s one of the questions of our era. I don’t think it’s the Taliban, Isis, or even Hamas. I don’t think you can eradicate these extreme Muslim organizations through violence. I think the only way for peace to prosper in this area of the Middle East, Hamas is going to have to acknowledge Israel as a state. As long as Hamas has this position, the conflict will go on and on and on.

There really is no solution because the U.S. and Israel can not afford that solution. Israel and the U.S. can’t look over the fact that Hamas wont recognize it as a state. Hamas has some power to cause Israel trouble, but ultimately Israel dictates what’s in control. It’s a long way of saying I don’t see a solution in the near future.”

What are Obama’s options to resolve the conflict?

“Obama is in a tough spot. There’s isn’t a lot he can do. The U.S. can’t do a lot here. We have done a lot of sanctions. But I am not sure how sanctions are going to help. We are just kind of holding are breaths to see what Russia actually does. If it gets out of control, we could strengthen our sanctions or put certain embargoes on Russia. I don’t think it would ever come to military action.

If we sanction too, hard Russia might stop sending gas to the western world. Obama, I think, is out of luck. Russia has the upper hand and they no that.”

Does the western World not want to go into Russia because no one has had military success in Russia?

“We have learned that going into Russia has been hell of earth, throughout history. Now thats why we have the euro zone and other forms of protection if there ends up being a massive conflict on European soil.”

WORLD’S LEADERS SCOTLAND

ISREAL

UKRAINE

Scotland has been a part of the United Kingdom since 1707.

Scottish Independence is not a new concept; there were many who opposed the Acts of Union in the 18th century. It’s only in recent months, however, that Scottish independence has been a likely reality.

Alex Salmond was the catalyst of the Scottish independence for the last 20 years or so. Mr. Salmond’s point was made on emotion and with a focus on Scottish youth.

He arguably had one of the most successful social media campaigns in history.

Most of the younger generation in Scotland voted yes, with the older population voting no.

The “no” campaign was successful because it insured Scotland with finical and political stability in the global economy.

The Gaza Strip is a disputed territory between Israel and Palestine. Between 1967 and the 1993 Oslo Accords, Israel controlled Gaza outright. In 1993, Israeli government control was ceded to the Palestinian authority, but Israel maintained control over Gazan airspace and border crossings. In 2007, Hamas was elected as the ruling party in Gaza.

Hamas and Israel quickly came into conflict over issues including border crossings, economic development, Israeli settlements in Gaza, and responsibility for rocket fire from Gaza into Israel.

The current situation in the region is volatile. Israel has set up a naval blockade which prevents supplies from entering Gaza.

Israel maintains that this is a necessary measure to protect its national security. Hamas contends that the blockade is another example of Israel’s refusal to recognize the autonomy of the Palestinian Authority and its determination to prevent Palestine from achieving economic progress.

Until the breakup of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s, the Ukraine was a part of a united Russia.

An independent Ukraine has been a difficult pill for the current Russian government to swallow; Vladimir Putin has often expressed his desire to see Russia regain its former glory and borders. In February 2014 a popular uprising deposed president Viktor Yanukovych and replaced him with Oleksandr Turchynov.

The Turchynov government was quickly recognized as the legitimate leadership of Ukraine by the U.S. and the European Union. In contrast, Russia condemned the transfer of power as a illegitimate coup.

Claiming that Ukrainians wanted the protection of the larger Russian state, Russian troops without official insignia entered the Ukraine and gained control of Crimea.

Today, Putin maintains any Russian military involvement is the result of voluntary individual choice by unsigned soldiers.

REGIS JESUIT | RJ MEDIA OCT, 2014 | 41

WE’VE GOT S

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E T SPIRIT

Photos by Sam Russell ‘16

REGIS JESUIT | RJ MEDIA OCT, 2014 | 43

YES WE DO

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WE’VE GOT SPIRIT HOW BOUT YOU? Photos by Sam Russell ‘16

Division added more advisement time while the Girls Division cut time.

Ultimately, the Advisement period, as well as other class specific activities, like liturgy and meetings, were moved to the hour and half period on Thursdays.

But this time is valuable to students who are in academically rigorous courses.

Many would argue that advisement is an important part of the Regis Jesuit culture, and teaches important nonacademic lessons.

This is true, to an extent.

Freshman advisement should be used as a time to help students get used to high school, and teach Regis Jesuit values.

Freshman should have weekly advisements just to help them learn the ropes.

Sophomores should start being introduced to leadership roles and help with freshman advisements, as well as have small amounts of time devoted to Sophomore specific advisement lessons. Sophomores need advisement, but significantly less of it.

The idea is that as students get older their amount of advisement decreases.

By the time a student reaches their junior year, advisement activities become repetitive and fruitless, and take up valuable time which could be used for homework or meeting with teachers.

Advisement includes helpful information and advice, but lacks perspective for upperclassmen and time to work

By Megan Jones ‘15 & Colin Byrne ‘16

Y ou are sitting in first period tapping your pen against your desk. You look at the time. 9:20 a.m.. ‘Great, class will be over in five minutes. I have to go finish my math homework and talk to-- ” Wrong.

It’s Thursday. An Academy Day. Which means shortened Academic Support and an hour and twenty minutes of Advisement. How many times have you found yourself in this same situation? More than enough.

For 12 years the Regis Jesuit administration has struggled with this space of time known as Office Hours, CALM, Academic Support, and Advisement.

In the past, this time has been used for everything from club meetings, advisement classes, counseling, appointments with teachers, and, in general, free time.

At the start of the 2012-2013 school year, with a change in the schedule, the girls were introduced to 2R/W, the daily 45 minute class. Before this change was made, the Girls Division had a period known as CALM every other day, which consisted of club time, advisement, liturgy, and meetings. This allowed for large amounts of time, sometimes too much, to be dedicated to non-academic content.

The Boys Division maintained their original class schedule after the 2012-2013 school year, keeping 2RW in tact.

In creating a common schedule, the Boys

OPINIONS

Upperclassmen need more time to meet with teachers and do homework. So rather than trying to find activities to fill this time, juniors and seniors should not have advisement every week, only for important things such as college counseling and SAT/ ACT prep.

This period of time has been a topic of debate amongst teachers and students for many years. Administration has always worked closely with staff to change this period of time for the better, but it still lacks the proper recipe or success

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR - WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

Letters to the editor are welcome and encouraged, but will only be published if they are accompanied by a name and signature. Letters should be short and free of “bashing” or obscenity. Letters to the editor do not reflect the views of the newspaper 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 rjmedianetwork@gmail.com or in the RJ Media Lab (PAC-102).

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