March 2018

March 2018

With construction underway, students get answers about the new St. Mary’s | page 2

Learn how to incorporate green into your uniform for St. Patrick’s Day | page 6

Coach Jayden Richter takes a look back at the Saint’s wrestling season | page 13

March 2018

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Dear readers, It is finally March and to help bring in some spring cheer after the long North Dakota winter, the Messenger has plenty of good reads for all. This month, we have an update on the building of the new high school. This feature focuses on answering the students’ questions.

In addition, March’s senior spotlight features students in the arts and there is plenty of St. Patrick’s Day fun. Whether you are Irish or not, everyone is sure to enjoy something in this month’s edition.

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Jordan Aberle Editor-in-Chief

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OUR MISSION The St. Mary’s Messenger is dedicated to creating a quality source of news for the St. Mary’s Central High School community. The Messenger strives to foster a sense of family through publications centered around the student body with a focus on the fundamental values of creativity and integrity.

OUR EDITORS JORDAN ABERLE Editor-in-Chief

ANTHONY VECCHIA Layout Editor

KAMRYN HELLMAN Feature Editor

AUDREY WENTZ Opinion Editor

AMELEA CALDWELL Entertainment Editor

AMALIA THOMAS Religion Editor

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ST. PATRICK’S DAY UNIFORM IDEAS With blue being our color, students often wonder how to incorporate green into their attire SAINT OF THE MONTH: ST. JOSEPH March’s featured saint shows us how to be merciful and forgiving

WRESTLING FOR RESULTS Coach Jayden Richter takes a look back at the Saint’s wrestling season

ON THE COVER

ANDERSON HAGEROTT Sports Editor

Construction is underway at the site of the new St. Mary’s Central High School. Picture used by permission of Light of Christ Catholic Schools.

OUR WRITERS Megha Bharadwaj Allison Braun Ryan Brown Darian Coghlan Andrea Frank

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CONTACT US Kathryn Goettle John Goettle Julia Jaramillo Russell Koch Aubrey Roemmich

Trysten Ruhland Rachel Rusch Kendall Tibor Grace Volk Sydnie Welch

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Website: www.smmessenger.wixsite.com/2017-18 Email: smmessenger@locstudents.org Facebook: SM Messenger Instagram: SMMessenger Twitter: @SM_Messenger

FEATURE

Students from the Class of 2020 explore the future site of St. Mary’s.

Picture by Anthony Vecchia

Building for the Future

With construction underway, students get answers about the new St. Mary’s | Kamryn Hellman

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ith over eighty-five percent of the fundraising goal complete, the new St. Mary’s Central High School is no longer just a distant vision. The dream school is quickly becoming a reality, and as construction continues, many students, faculty, and parents have questions that go beyond the exciting numbers. The Messenger spoke with Light of Christ President, Mr. Gerald Vetter, as well as St. Mary’s principal, Mr. Reed Ruggles, in order to gain some insight into some practical questions from Light of Christ students.

GROWING NUMBERS

The philosophy behind the new school is not simply to expect the larger space to be filled with more students simply because it is there. However, looking at recent enrollment numbers, the building was planned with the expectation of a fair amount of growth in the coming years. Light of Christ is already seeing higher numbers in elementary schools “due to the commitment made to provide the necessary space for students and a tuition assistance program for families desiring a Catholic education for their children,” says

Mr. Vetter. He also anticipates that other students will come after the new school is built, but for now enrollment is “expected to grow at a manageable rate.”

What exactly does this mean? According to Mr. Ruggles, “We anticipate the high school growing to approximately 450 students over the next decade.” Yet the school is not capping seating capacity at the expectations of one decade. “The new St. Mary’s Central High School’s Educational Wing is built for a capacity of 550 students and is designed for a future expansion to accommodate a capacity of 650 students,” Mr. Ruggles continues.

“The building was planned with the expectation of a fair amount of growth in the coming years.”

For those wondering if the capacity of classrooms extends to other areas of the building, Mr. Vetter confirms that the auditorium 2

2020

The projected first graduating class of the new St. Mary’s

CAPITAL CAMPAIGN

BY THE NUMBERS

550 Maximum capacity of the new academic center

48 Acres on which St. Mary’s will be constructed

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Million dollar cost of the LOC Capital Campaign

Wings including the Chapel

to work during off-periods. This student center is perhaps one of the greatest improvements in the new school. Mr. Ruggles says it will “serve as a hub for our school and give our students a much-expanded atrium feel and experience.”

Approximate Other areas of the school will see similar expanlifespan of the sion. For example, Mr. Ruggles says that the fine and Our Lady of Victory Chapel will both be able to seat up to arts department “will see a reinvestment in new new campus 650. In addition, the cafeteria will be large enough to instrumentation and musical accessories.” For those accomodate a school our size. brave souls tasked with serving hundreds of hungry teenagers each day, the school will also “have a more GREAT IMPROVEMENTS efficient working space for our kitchen staff.” And for any faculty Both Mr. Vetter and Mr. Ruggles agree that Our Lady of Victory members sick of worrying about their side mirrors when parking Chapel is one of the greatest features of the new high school. Many on Third Street, Mr. Vetter promises “there will be ample staff families are looking forward to having a chapel “large enough to parking.” accommodate our entire school for Mass, prayer, Reconciliation, and many other faith-centered events,” Mr. Ruggles says. In fact, FROM THE STUDENTS because the worship space will not have to be set up by Assistant Students who will spend a year—or Chaplains with tarps, risers, and individual chairs, “it is very four—at the new high school possible that we could move from having a monthly All-School have some more day-to-day Mass to a weekly All-School Mass,” he adds. questions. For Although many faith events will be held in the chapel, example, a while Mr. Vetter makes it clear that it will remain simply a school chapel, back, students not a new parish. Still, “Bishop Kagan was gracious enough to allow the chapel to be a place where alumni could get married… much like some college and military students get married at their college or military chapels.”

“Bishop Kagan was gracious enough to allow the chapel to be a place where alumni could get married.” | Mr. Vetter In looking at architectural plans for the chapel, the school will likely be eager to make use of it as often as possible. With gorgeous stained-glass windows of saintly inspiration, the chapel is definitely the most beautiful and perhaps most anticipated addition to the new high school.

The Academic Wing promises to be amazing as well. Mr. Vetter says that “there will be many free spaces. The student center, the collaboration areas and the cafeteria will be wonderful spaces for the students to work independently and collaboratively.” At the current high school, students often sit in the cafeteria, the atrium, the library, or empty classrooms in their free time. Although the new library will be smaller and more compact, it will be adjoined to the student center, which should be a perfect space for students 3

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were asked to share their thoughts on lockers. Now they may be interested to hear that the lockers, “varying in size,” will be located throughout the school. Another item being considered was the idea of online textbooks. It appears that administration will strive for a more “blended learning approach.” Mr. Ruggles confirms that “normal textbooks will still be utilized by teachers. We do not have plans in the near future of going to a true 1:1 in which students take devices home with them at the end of the school day.” Bussing options are also not in consideration at this time, due to lack of need. “Families are utilizing ride sharing for our students,” Mr. Vetter says. “This would entail families and students working together to carpool to and from school.”

For upperclassmen and alumni, of course, the current SMCHS will remain their home. Anticipating future events, Mr. Ruggles “[Mr. Ruggles] foresees future class reunions as ‘a balancing act [...] to see the new school while also showing them the updates that have occured at the St. Mary’s Academy.’” says “We will utilize the new school for class reunions but will also be sure to respect the school building from which many of our students graduated.” He foresees future class reunions as “a balancing act of giving our alumni the opportunity to see the new school while also showing them the updates that have occurred at the St. Mary’s Academy (their school of attendance and graduation).”

Alumni will likely be impressed by the updated features of the

new school, including “greater security, heating

and cooling, and technology in

the classroom.”

Sophomores Kendall Tibor, Shawn Holweger, and Abby Schmidt (left to right) visit the construction site.

Pictures by Anthony Vecchia

THE LEGACY

With all the excitement surrounding the new school, the Light of Christ families and administrators are focused on the events of the near future. However, by looking at our roots, we can see that Catholic education in Bismarck must be planned with endurance in mind. The current building opened its doors in 1951. High school classes were first offered in 1916, and in 2013 the high school welcomed the first middle school students. In the years since both students and faculty have done a tremendous job collaborating with the Academy. Mr. Vetter says that the newest building is expected “The buildings are essential, but it is the mission and purpose of Catholic schools that serve to educate, to inpire the students, and to be an extension of the Church.” | Mr. Vetter

Renderings of the interior and exterior of the new facility.

Pictures provided

by Light of Christ Catholic Schools

to last seventy to eighty years. “I am positive that I will not be around when the next St. Mary’s Central High School will be built.

What I do know is the legacy of SMCHS will live on.” It is often difficult, in the midst of such an exciting project, to take a step back and look at the bigger picture. But Mr. Vetter is well aware of the importance of this project. “The buildings are essential, but it is the mission and purpose of Catholic schools that serve to educate, to inspire the students, and to be an extension of the Church.”

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SENIOR spotlight VICTORIA WINDSOR | Choir

MESSENGER: How long have you been in choir?

VICTORIA WINDSOR: I’ve been in choir for six years and have sang soprano, mezzo, and occasionally tenor.

M: What is the hardest part about choir?

V: The hardest part of choir for me is when we initially get new music and have to learn the new notes and rhythms before we can really get into it.

MESSENGER: What was the hardest thing about joining jazz choir?

CHASE ANGERMEIER: I was a freshman when I first joined and past years’ groups were very intimidating, but once I got to know everybody I found out how natural everything comes to you.

M: What would you tell guys who are hesitant to sing?

C: Don’t be afraid to express your voice. It’s a gift that God has given us. Don’t be afraid to use it to express how you feel.

CHASE ANGERMEIER | Jazz Choir

NORA FRITZ | Band

ANTHONY VECCHIA | Jazz Band

MESSENGER: What is your favorite part about band?

NORA FRITZ: When the music comes together and knowing that you and all of your friends are making something beautiful.

M: Have you ever made all-state? How many times?

N: Yes, three times [...] from my sophomore through my senior year, and I was alternate for jazz band my freshman year.

M: Which instruments do you play?

N: I play trombone, piano, steel pan, and tuba.

MESSENGER: Which instruments do you play?

ANTHONY VECCHIA: I play piano, organ, lead steel pan, bass guitar, orchestral bass, and more.

M: Do you participate in any other band activities?

A: I play in the steel drum band and lead the jazz combo. I also play with the Bismarck Mandan Symphony Orchestra and Youth Symphony.

M: What’s your favorite part about jazz band?

A: Jazz is unique in that it has a certain freedom to it. You aren’t bound to sheet music, but rather you can improvise and take your musicality to a new level.

MESSENGER: How long have you been in speech?

AMALIA THOMAS: Four years.

M: Which events do you compete in?

A: EPR, Serious, Dramatic, Humorous Duo, Storytelling, Serious Duo, and Poetry.

M: What’s the best part about speech?

A: It’s a unique challenge. Each weekend brings new competition with new difficulties to overcome, but overall it’s still such a wonderful exciting experience.

AMALIA THOMAS | Speech MESSENGER: Which events do you compete in?

KYLIE WARD: I’m in Humorous and Humorous Duo, and I am currently writing my speech for Entertain.

M: What will you miss most about speech?

K: I think the tournaments are always fun, and getting to see yourself improve from the beginning of the year to the end of the year, and finding speeches that are funny.

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KYLIE WARD | Speech

Interviews by Megha Bharadwaj, Julia Jaramillo, and Hannah Gardner Pictures provided by the seniors

OPINION

St. Patrick’s Day decoration display at Hobby Lobby.

Picture by Amalia Thomas

St. Patrick’s Uniform Ideas

With blue being our color, many students often wonder how to incorporate green into their attire | Amalia Thomas

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ith St. Patrick’s Day coming up, many of us have a very pressing question on our minds… how can I incorporate green into the school uniform? Since the traditional St. Mary’s uniforms contain absolutely no green, every year many students get caught on St. Patrick’s Day not wearing ANY! Alas, my friends, I have a solution to this problem. Today, I would like to propose to you ten ways you can wear green with the SM uniform!

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Festive socks. Every year Target’s dollar section comes out with fun, inexpensive St. Patty’s Day socks. I would HIGHLY recommend.

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Earrings/Jewelry. This may seem rather old-fashioned, but there are some cute pot of gold earrings or green colored Claddagh rings out there.

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Scarves. In many years past, I have worn a green or even shamrock printed scarf on this momentous occasion.

Pin. The pin is a classy way to bring about some holiday spirit…and save you from mischievous green-pincher prowlers.

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Sneaky pocket piece. If you really want to pull a move on people this St. Patrick’s Day, simply place a small green item of your choice into your pocket. Upon pinching from your peers,

whip out your piece of green thread or whatever it is and exclaim: “TRY ME!!”

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A literal shamrock taped onto the bottom of your shoe (or blade of grass, anything small and green really). This method is extremely sly. When pinched, you can simply lift up your heel and defiantly glare at your oppressor. You are, in fact, wearing green and they were wrong all along!

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Ties or bowties. This is a very posh way to approach St. Patrick’s Day style. You just can’t go wrong with a sleek tie.

Hair accessories. If you’re kind of lazy or just don’t have the time to throw something together, tying a green ribbon around the end of your braid or securing your hair with a green elastic is a simple and foolproof way to go.

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Bandana. I LOVE BANDANAS. If you choose to wear a green bandana, you can style it a trillion different ways: as a headband, as a necktie, as a bracelet, the list goes on and on.

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The no-green method. This is quite risky, but if you play your cards right, you can avoid pinching. Anytime you think someone is about to pinch you create a distraction and immediately leave the area. I DO NOT recommend.

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QOTM

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March Question of the Month What would you do with a pot of gold?

Go to www.smmessenger. wixsite.com/2017-18/qotm to submit now

MEGHA BHARADWAJ, Freshman “Invest it.”

MONICA RICHARD, Senior “I’d return it to its rightful owner because I’m not a thief. Jeez.”

AUBREY ROEMMICH, Sophomore “I’d buy a library.”

BROOKE MUELLER, Junior “I would buy all the animals at the Central Dakota Humane Society.”

An Open Letter to Pinchers | Trysten Ruhland

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Jessica Aberle pinches Mallory Donlin Picture provided by Audrey Wentz 7

isten up, all of you pinching people. You are free to celebrate old St. Patrick’s Day anyway you like. I literally don’t care if you dress as a leprechaun and dance during this holiday. Please do celebrate by watching a leprechaun themed movie, or walking around in a green morph suit; however, please don’t bring innocent people into your weird tradition. Especially not if it’s something as silly and childish as pinching. Pinching is just fine and dandy as long as it includes you and your close family and friends. If it doesn’t, you and your pinching need to bug off. If you are an individual that goes around on St. Patrick’s Day pinching random strangers, you sir, need to rethink your life.

No one appreciates your so called, “acts of holiday spirit.” In fact, it is just the opposite. When people see you prancing around pinching innocent people left and right, it makes them roll their eyes and think, “Gee, I hate St. Patrick’s Day.” You who pinch outside your bounds are ruining St. Patrick’s Day for the rest of us. On the behalf of all of us, please stop your rogue pinching. If you don’t, I will find you, and pinch you- even if you are wearing green.

ENTERTAINMENT

Teacher’s Pick: Mrs. Chambers

Mrs. Chambers conducts the St. Mary’s Wind Orchestra during a warmup for the Mid-Winter Concert on February 25th Picture provided by Val Jundt

Saints Band Director shares her love of music with the Messenger | Kendall Tibor

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rs. Anne Chambers, St. Mary’s band director, is in her second year of teaching music at her former high school. She began playing the clarinet in fifth grade and continued through high school under St. Mary’s director Mr. Schmidt. She attended Northern State University in Aberdeen, South Dakota, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Music Education and Elementary Education.

She is currently going through graduate work for a master’s degree in Wind Conducting. This is accomplished through the American Band College of Sam Houston State University. The Messenger was able to ask her a few questions about herself.

MESSENGER: Who is your favorite composer?

MRS. CHAMBERS: Frank Ticheli. His music is very well-

written for an ensemble and it features all the different sections in a very unique way. I enjoy listening to the variety of music he composes. A lot of his work contains exciting percussion and beautiful moments throughout the pieces. I try to work his pieces into the curriculum, though his music can be very challenging. My goal for the bands is to incorporate one of his pieces throughout the year.

M: What is your favorite piece by Ticheli?

C: “Angels in the Architecture.” I like the piece because there’s a dark side and a light side to it. It has an angels and demons feel to it and at the end it resolves into this beautiful moment. There’s also

a vocal solo in the beginning that’s set offstage, and that adds a different feel to the piece. It’s an exciting piece to listen to.

M: What is it like teaching at the same high school you attended?

C: I feel very blessed to be able to teach at SMCHS and I hope to be able to instill the same values, traditions, and culture that I had when I went to school here.

“I started taking private lessons [on clarinet] and after that I really fell in love with the instrument.” | Mrs. Chambers

M: What is your favorite instrument to play?

C: When I was in fifth grade, I went to Eckroth Music. I tried the

trumpet and the clarinet, and I had a better sound on the clarinet, so that’s what I went with. I started taking private lessons and after that I really fell in love with the instrument. I also love the French horn. The hardest instrument for me would be the tuba, because I have a smaller embouchure, which makes it hard for me to get a big sound out for tuba.

M: What is your favorite part of teaching?

C: My favorite part of teaching is sharing my experiences and making music with the students every day. Also, getting to work with my husband every day – it’s pretty awesome going to work.

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Seniors Trey Zent and Chase Angermeier working at AMC Theaters Pictures provided by Anthony Vecchia

March Movie Recommendations

From book adaptations to giant robots, there’s something for everyone | Allison Braun A WRINKLE IN TIME

Meg Murry and her brother, Charles, are the children of two world-renowned physicists. When Mr. Murry mysteriously disappears, a mystical woman named Mrs. Whatsit arrives at the Murry household, informing the children that the “wrinkles” in space-time that Mr. and Mrs. Murry had been studying are real, and they’re a gateway to a fifth dimension where Mr. Murry is imprisoned by a great evil. Mrs. Whatsit’s companions, Mrs. Who and Mrs. Which, have traveled to Earth to help Meg and Charles find their father. By traveling through a wrinkle in time and space, they are transported to dimensions beyond their wildest dreams where the kids must face a strong evil. Although this book was originally released 56 years ago, the tale of three children braving time and space travel to find their father has endured. The new Disney film was released on March 9 and is rated PG.

PACIFIC RIM: UPRISING

The 2013 sci-fi film is finally getting a sequel. At the end of the original film, the four heroes went on a mission to the bottom of the Pacific in an attempt to close the rift that the monstrous Kaiju were coming from. They succeeded, saving the world from further Kaiju attacks. This apparently isn’t the case a decade later, where Uprising picks up. It follows Jake Pentecost, the son of Marshal Pentecost, who lead the final attack on the rift at the end of the previous film. A promising Jaeger pilot has fallen into a criminal lifestyle. He is called upon by his adopted sister Mako Mori to once again defend the world from the Kaiju and help her train a new generation of pilots to fight the monsters. The film premieres March 23 and is rated PG-13.

Alumni Connections

The Messenger connects with Emily Tibor, ‘13 | Anthony Vecchia

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s the Messenger continues to connect with alumni about their college experience and memories of St. Mary’s, I was happy to interview my sister, Emily Tibor, of the Class of 2013.

Emily attended the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN where she “studied mathematics with a minor in computer science.” During her studies, St. Thomas offered many opportunities for her, beyond academics and into research. Her first research project was “with one of [her] professors on knot theory.” In explaining further, Emily stated “we worked with open arc knots like the kind that can be found in structures of proteins.”

After working on a research project, Emily knew math was something she wanted to do. The summer of her junior year she worked as a research assistant at New Mexico’s Los Alamos National Labratory, where the Manhattan Project was stationed.

There Emily continued her pursuit of math research, saying, 9

Anthony with his sister, Emily Tibor, in Los Alamos, NM Picture provided by Anthony Vecchia “I got a little more experience with the research community in a new area.”

Emily is currently enrolled in the mathematics PhD program at the University of Minnesota. After grad school she plans on “likely being a college professor.”

RELIGION

The Grace of Goodness

Lent display by the altar in St. Mary’s Parish Pictures provided by Michele Vecchia

The Messenger shares how to keep virtue strong during this Lenten season | Kathryn Goettle

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veryone desires a life free from guilt and filled with joy. But how does one achieve such a thing? Is it even possible? Living a virtuous life does not guarantee no suffering, but it does promise happiness to come from that life. If that is the case, then how does one live a virtuous life? There is no foolproof way, but there are a few tricks which can help one strive for happiness. Virtue is simply a good habit. That being the case, one obtains virtue the same way they obtain any skill or habit, by practicing. A person attains a virtuous life by practicing virtue. One must be consistently thinking about what the moral thing to do is, and choose to do it every time, even if it is the hard thing.

Good habits are difficult to acquire because continuing to do something again and again even when you keep failing is hard. To continue, it is necessary that one avoids discouragement as much as one can. How does one prevent discouragement and quitting? By

reminder of what is good; because in order to do the good, one must know what it is.

Remembering what is good and choosing it every time is hard.

Doing anything alone is difficult. The best way a person can combat this is to have someone who will do it with them. Having a good friend who keeps one accountable is a central part of living a virtuous life. It is easy to get caught up in the temporary joys of sinfulness, but if a person has a friend helping to remind them, speaking about the good, choosing to do the good, then living what is right does not seem as daunting.

Whatever the way a person obtains a virtuous life, living in that way will always bring a person truer joy and peace than any other lifestyle.

“Prayer allows a person to release all their frustrations, pains, and joys without putting oneself at risk of initiating gossip.� frequent prayer and receiving the sacraments. Prayer allows a person to release all their frustrations, pains, and joys without putting oneself at risk of initiating gossip or making oneself seem like a faultfinder or killjoy. And the sacraments serve as a constant 10

Saint of the Month St. Joseph

| Hannah Gardner

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t. Joseph’s feast day is celebrated on March 19th.

Scripture shows that he was a working man, specifically a carpenter, making him the patron saint of carpenters and workers. He is also the patron of those who die a happy death, despite the time and cause of his death being unknown.

There is little we know about Joseph’s life, although Scripture gives a glimpse into the most notable time in his life. After he was betrothed to Mary, he discovered she was pregnant. To graciously spare her from the consequences of adultery at the time, Joseph quietly left her. Not long after, an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream. The angel informed him that the baby was conceived by the Holy Spirit and to not be afraid to take Mary as his wife. Joseph took the angel’s word and named the baby Jesus. St. Joseph was chosen by God to be the husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the foster father of Jesus. God entrusted the lives of the Holy Family to St. Joseph. Throughout his life St. Joseph worked hard to provide for his family. He taught Jesus his trade, helped Mary raise Jesus, and gave his family everything he had. The Bible does not say much about the life of Joseph, but we do know that we can learn to be merciful and forgiving by taking his example.

St. Joseph as depicted in the historic stainglass windows at St. Mary’s Parish Pictures by Anthony Vecchia

Ask Father

The Messenger interviews chaplain, Fr. Johnson | Grace Volk MESSENGER: What are you most excited about for the new high school?

FR. JOHNSON: There’s a lot of things I am excited about for

the new high school, but certainly as the chaplain, I am most excited for the new chapel. To be able to have all-school Masses in a sacred place will be a great thing.

M: Why should everyone consider a Catholic education?

J: To be in a school where the number one mission is to grow in your relationship with Christ is a priceless gift.

M: How does Tobin like his new friend Benedict?

J: He likes having another dog in the house.

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Grace Volk interviews chaplain, Fr. Johnson Picture by Kamryn Hellman

M: Why did you choose the name Benedict?

J: Actually the bishop did. It’s his puppy and he named it after one of his favorite popes: Pope Benedict XVI.

TRIVIA

What is the name of the guards of the Pope? a. The Guardians b. Pontifical Guard c. Guards of the Pope d. The Holy Guards

A B

During what time in the Liturgical Calendar do priests wear white? a. Ash Wednesday and Easter b. Advent and Christmas c. Holy Thursday and Easter d. Christmas and Easter Seasons C Who is the patron saint of Ireland? a. St. Cecilia b. St. Patrick c. St. Sebastian d. St. Ignatius

D E

At what age are you required to fast? a. 20 b. 14 c. 18 d. 16

A. Swiss Guard in Vatican City B. Chapel in the St. John Paul II National Shrine C. Lenten decoration at St. Mary’s Parish D. Stainglass window at St. Mary’s E. Statue of St. Peter outside St. Peter’s Basilica Pictures by Anthony Vecchia Answers: 1.B, 2.D, 3.B, 4.C, 5.A

How long is Pentecost? a. 50 days b. 2 months c. 40 days d. 1 month

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SPORTS

Wrestling for Results

Coach Richter with wrestlers who placed at state Picture provided by Jayden Richter

Coach Jayden Richter takes a look back at the Saints’ wrestling season | Kathryn Goettle

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restling season came to an end on February 17th with the Saints placing 11th in total individual team points at the state competition. The Messenger interviewed the wrestling team’s head coach, Jayden Richter, for a look back on the season.

MESSENGER: How was this season unique to other seasons?

RICHTER: This season we were extremely young. There were

only three upper classmen on the team. Last year there were five seniors on the team and four juniors, so the majority of our lineup consisted of older, more matured athletes. In addition, last year we were able to fill a full roster for a varsity lineup. This year we were usually able to fill only eight of the fourteen weight classes due to graduation and wrestlers not returning from last year’s roster. This season was a huge learning curve for many of the wrestlers, especially for the younger wrestlers. Young wrestlers were challenged with situations to compete against older and more experienced competition, but they rose to the occasion and embraced the adversity. This season I coached my first state champion, which was very exciting for me and the team as a whole.

M: What was your favorite memory from this season?

R: Defeating the Bismarck Legacy Sabers with only eight wresters on the roster and Reece Barnhardt being crowned champion at the ND state tournament.

M: How has the team grown this season?

R: The wrestlers have learned to enjoy each other’s company and 13

embrace one another as brothers. Wrestling is a very challenging and demanding sport. Without a close-knit support system, it can be an uphill battle to learn to love the grind that wrestling is. Next season we will be without the three seniors: Christian Hanson, Branden Franchuk, and Noah Zander. Also, unless things change, the wrestling team will have no returning juniors to play those critical senior leadership roles. The team will have to look to the returning upperclassmen Drew Steidler, Adam Richter and, soonto-be sophomore, Reece Barnhardt, for leadership next season.

Overall, this season the team became much tougher both mentally and physically.

The Saints had four athletes place at state. Reece Barnhardt was a state champion at 113 lbs. Drew Steidler was a runner-up at 126 lbs. Branden Franchuk placed 6th at 170 lbs. Christian Hanson placed 7th at 152 lbs. and three other wrestlers qualified for the state tournament: James Richter, William Lengenfelder, and Logan Weiler.

Mr. Richter observed, “the St. Mary’s wrestling team may not have 30 wrestlers, but the few that we do have are quality athletes.

The wrestlers have become motivated, determined, and passionate about becoming better competitors. Although we are a young team, our wrestling technique, dedication, and work ethic have increased exponentially. With six wrestlers in the current freshmen class on the team and a handful of younger athletes coming up through the ranks, the future of the Saints’ wrestling program looks bright!”

St. Mary’s Taekwondo Masters

The Messenger visits with two students who are taking taekwondo to the extreme | Amelea Caldwell

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aekwondo is a Korean martial art that was founded as a practice shortly after WWII. IT is primarily known for its quick striking and kicking techniques, along with the incorporation of spinning kicks that primarily target the head. Taekwondo sacrifices the stability of broader stances in other martial arts for an increase in speed and agility. Aside from the physical attributes, there’s also a philosophical aspect as well. Primarily in the five tenants of taekwondo: courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control, and indomitable spirit. Abby Balkowitsch attends ATA in Bismarck and Morgan Verhaeghe attends Roughrider Academy in Mandan.

MORGAN VERHAEGHE

MESSENGER: How long have you been in taekwondo and when did you start?

MORGAN VERHAEGHE: I’ve been in taekwondo since I was

ABBY BALKOWITSCH

MESSENGER: How long have you been in taekwondo and when did you start?

ABBY BALKOWITSCH: I’ve been doing taekwondo for eight

and a half years and I started with dancing, but I wasn’t really into it. The only thing I kept from dance was my flexibility and I connected that with martial arts.

M: What’s your current belt ranking and the next belt you are working towards?

A: I’m a third-degree black belt. You need to be 18 to get your fourth-degree and it takes three years to get, so I’m working towards that.

M: What was your proudest moment in taekwondo?

A: In 2016 when I got state champ. Throughout the year, you attend different tournaments and gather points. First place is three points, second place is two points, and third place is one point. I had the most points out of anyone in my age division and rank. I was a second-degree at the time.

seven years old. I started because I had many friends who were in it and it seemed cool. My parents also wanted me to be able to defend myself.

M: What’s your current belt ranking and the next belt you are working towards?

M: Right now, I’m a red belt. I am set to test for my black belt towards the end of the school year.

M: What’s the most valuable thing you have learned through taekwondo?

M: Probably the tenants of taekwondo, namely integrity and respect. It’s not just about punching things and learning to defend yourself. You learn to respect the higher ranks, as well as the students below you.

DUSTY CALDWELL

4120 Memorial Highway Mandan, ND 58554 www.openroad-honda.com

701-663-4023 1-877-663-4023 Sales@OpenRoad-Honda.com

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