October 2018

October 2018

The Messenger takes some time to recap some student’s summers | page 2

Pro and Con: Read about the benefits and disadvantages of school starting an hour later | page 6

An inside look into our Volleyball and Boy’s Soccer Teams | page 13

October 2018

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR As October comes to a close, the people of North Dakota are looking forward to all the parties and big meals that November brings with it. However, before you all dive too far into the leaf pile, the Messenger would like to remind its readers of the good times they had this summer, and the bright memories made in the past and current sweater seasons.

Here at Messenger, we love to see the groups of people huddled around our paper, the proud smile when a student reads an article about themselves, and the slight laughs as students make fun of our bad attempts at jokes. Our mission at the Messenger is to produce a quality newsletter that provides insight into SMCHS by featuring our own students and their accomplishments and goals.

So grab a cup of hot apple cider and a copy of the Messenger and flip through its pages!

Kathryn Goettle Editor-in-Chief

6

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 KATHRYN GOETTLE Editor-in-Chief

JULIA JARAMILLO Layout Editor

GRACE VOLK Feature Editor

MEGHA BHARADWAJ Opinion Editor

ANNA BRAUN Entertainment Editor

ALLISON BRAUN Opinion Editor

HANNAH GARDNER Entertainment Editor

KENDALL TIBOR Religion Editor

ALYSSA RUD Photography

ANDERSON HAGEROTT Sports Editor

6 11

13

13

PROS AND CONS OF SCHOOL STARTING LATER We all hate waking up early in the morning. What would happen if we started school later?

HALLOWEEN VS. ALL SOUL’S DAY The end of October means Halloween! But where did this beloved holiday come from? What about All Soul’s Day? VOLLEYBALL: A GREAT SEASON As the season comes to an end, The Messenger sheds some light into how they pull it off.

ON THE COVER It’s October! As we near the 31th, spiders, skeletons, and other spooky things appear on houses. Pumpkins light up the night and the scariest thing we realize is we still have 7 months left of school. Happy Halloween!

CONTACT US

OUR WRITERS Ryan Brown Darian Coghlan Andrea Frank Rachel Rusch Allyson Treiber

11

Aubrey Roemmich Maria Fleck Jeffery Salvadel Sydnie Welch John Goettle

Website: www.smmessenger.wixsite.com/2018-19 Email: smmessenger@locstudents.org Facebook: SM Messenger Instagram: SMMessenger Twitter: @SM_Messenger

FEATURE

2018 Summer Recap

It’s hard to believe we’re only 2 months into school!

Picture from CNN.com

Let’s take a look into what students have been up to this summer | Hannah Gardner and Megha Bharadwaj

T

he summer of 2018 was a big summer for most students. Many traveled, attended camps, worked a job, or participated in some other crazy activity. In this article, we will talk about some of the highlights of a few students that happened this summer.

A large portion of the SM students were fortunate enough to go on a family vacation. Places traveled ranged from going camping at Cross Ranch with friends to flying out of the country to go to Europe. One individual in particular, Julia Jaramillo, had the opportunity to go to Europe, saying, “The whole trip was a great experience and educational.” However, Julia was not the only person who traveled to Europe this year. A group of this year’s senior class flew to Italy along with Father Dominic Bouck and Father Jared Johnson. Many pilgrims were able to witness the beauty of Rome and happiness from growing closer to their classmates. Kathryn Goettle, one of the students that attended the pilgrimage, said, “Rome was inspiring because I was able to see the history of the Church.”

Not only did students travel this summer, some worked a summer job. Andrea Frank, a junior, was a lifeguard at Hillside Pool and shared with us her thoughts about the summer. “Lifeguarding and teaching swimming lessons gave me the chance to soak up the sun and help protect and save lives, all while being at my favorite place- the pool!” Chris Birnbaum, a junior as well, worked with Andrea at Hillside and he also reported about his experience. “I lifeguarded this summer at Hillside, and what I really liked about

lifeguarding is that I got to be around all my friends and I got to be outside all the time. I liked it a lot.”

Some students here also went to summer camps. Frankie Barry, a sophomore, attended the Steubenville Conference at St. Thomas University in St. Paul, MN. Steubenville is a Catholic camp for teens in grades 9-12. People attend to share their faith with their peers as well as learn more about it from speakers and mass and adoration. She said, “At Steubenville, I really loved practicing my faith with my friends. I think it brought us all closer than we ever were before.” Rachel Rusch, a sophomore, and Emily Glass, a senior both participated in dance camps. Rachel Rusch attended “Many traveled, attended camps, worked a job, or participated in some other crazy activity” a dance camp in Jamestown and Emily Glass won the National Midwest Stars Dance Competition with her “Let’s Dance Studio” team.

Overall, everyone has a special story to share about their summer.

Each student has their own adventure and that is what makes summer so special-when each student seizes the opportunity to do what they love. We hope everyone had a great summer! God bless!

2

WHAT DID SM THE SU

Rachel Rusch attended a dance camp in Jamestown “I really enjoyed how much our team got to bond, and how many new people we got to meet! It was a great weekend filled with hard work, lots of laughing, fun, and adventures!”

Megha Bharadwaj attended a Turning Point USA conference in Washington DC. “I learned so much at Turning Point and I was able to listen to a variety of opinions from people like the businessman Mark Cuban to Attorney General Jeff Sessions to political commentator Dave Rubin. I was truly inspired and I can’t wait to go again next year!”

Brandon Prichard also attended Turning Point USA conference in Washington DC. “Turning Point was an amazing opportunity. I learned about the democratic process and examined America’s legislative branch in action.”

Julia Jaramillo took a family trip all over Europe “The whole trip was a great experience and educational.”

Frankie Barry attended the Steubenville conference in St. Paul, Minnesota “At Steubenville, I really loved practicing my faith with my friends. I think it brought us all closer than we ever were before.”

3

MCHS DO OVER UMMER? Chris Birnbaum lifeguarded this summer “I lifeguarded this summer at Hillside, and what I really liked about lifeguarding is that I got to be around all my friends and I got to be outside all the time. I liked it a lot.”

Emily Glass won the National Midwest Stars Dance Competition with her “Let’s Dance Studio” team. “I enjoyed winning nationals in Wisconsin Dells this summer with my team. We worked so hard for it and it’s an experience I’ll never forget.”

Andrea Frank lifeguarded this summer ”Lifeguarding and teaching swimming lessons gave me the chance to soak up the sun and help protect and save lives, all while being at my favorite place- the pool!”

Morgan Salwei started her own business “After taking the Entrepreneurship class at school I wanted to start my own little business. So with a lot of hard work and dedication I started “Sunshine And Mo.” I sell homemade jellies, baked goods, and crafts. The reason why I chose my name is because I want to spread sunshine (happiness) wherever I go!! You can follow me on Facebook at Sunshine And Mo!!”

4

OPINION Trick-or-Treating Memories A student remembers her past Halloweens | Alyssa Rud

I

t’s getting to be that time of the year again, and people are mentally (and physically) preparing themselves for at least one of these three things: Halloween, Thanksgiving, or Christmas. Now I don’t know about you, but as soon as October 1st hits I am already bringing up those Halloween decorations and candy buckets. Although I don’t trick-or-treat anymore, I do still try and keep that fun Halloween spirit alive.

Every year, since before I can really remember, I’ve dressed up as something different in the spirit of Halloween. I can recall being a vampire one year simply because of how much I loved Twilight. Also, to briefly mention that one cross-over episode of Wizards of Waverly Place when Bridget Medler from Good Luck Charlie played a teenage vampire so, obviously, that was cool and young me had to reenact the entire episode as an actual vampire.

I believe 8th grade was the last year I went about the neighborhoods with my friends. It was interesting to say the least. When you’re younger, adults don’t mind random kids walking up their house at 8 PM and asking for their candy- but it’s a little different when you’re a 5’11 and a fourteen-year-old, young adult who could pass as a junior or senior in high school. Not to mention the fact that I was dressed up in bright red makeup and socks pretending to be a drummer in a one-hit-wonder sort of band that everyone has (not) sadly forgotten about. Apart from the slight awkwardness that came with each knock at every door, we still had a great time.

I don’t trick-or-treat anymore, but I still do enjoy putting on a simple costume and taking my siblings out through the neighborhood and to friends’ homes. Halloween will always be enjoyable to me, even if it does change through the years. I mean, who doesn’t love an entire season dedicated to loading up on your favorite candies without an excuse, right?

3

Joining activities and going to events, will not actually kill you. Sometimes you may feel over-whelmed and Sporting events Advice from a senior to underclassmen like the entire world is sitting on your are WAY more fun shoulders trying to crush you, but even | Kathryn Goettle when you cheer and that tension and stress can be relieved by scream and have more he first day of school senior year starts just stepping into the chapel and its silence for five school spirit than anyone else. like any other. You roll out of bed, put on minutes a day-even five minutes a week. The If you join in the cheers and look the outfit you’ve had picked out since last year peacefulness of the chapel can help you like you are having fun, most because all of your uniform outfits look the same. clear your head and think about what likely the people around you You stuff your face with food and attempt to rub you need to do, while reminding will also join in because the sleep out of your eyes so that it does not show you that Christ took on all your they do not want to be up in the pictures you have to take before getting sins- and conquered them. left out of the fun. in the car. But once you get to school, something Freshman is different, it is not the same. You look around The seniors are year is by and realize that those “little kids” you used to see not actually as far the lightest running though the halls are now in high school, And finally, scary as they seem. on homework, so they are freshmen. And that means… you are a high school can Most likely, they still learn to senior? That can not be right though, because you be a ton of fun if remember the anxiety they manage it. remember just yesterday when you were the “little you take advantage of felt around the seniors and kid.” But it is right, though you might seem not to opportunities and want to show the freshman age, time does not wait for you, and it is dragging surround yourself that they are actually you along. with loving approachableReflecting on my brief high school years, I people. sometimes. discovered that there are things that I wished I had Freshman- do not let the years fly by without making good friends and doing known when I was a freshman- so that the time something worthwhile. would not have disappeared so quickly. Well, it Upperclassmen- if you have not done these things yet, do not worry! As much probably still would have. as time drags you along, there is still some of high school left to enjoy!

Time’s Unending Pull

2

T

1

5

4

5

Pro & Con: Should schools start later?

Two students discuss the pros and cons of a later school starting time

Pro: Students need later start times | Maria Fleck

M

ornings are the worst. Let me rephrase that. Waking up at 6:30 in the morning, after falling asleep way too late trying to finish a paper that’s due, and dragging yourself to school to try and learn is the worst. This ladies and gents is a vicious cycle. Since you stayed up too late trying to write that paper, you fall asleep during class. And that means you missed half of your math lesson which you now will stay up way too late again trying to figure out. And this lack of sleep is causing more issues than just terrible attention-spans. The CDC says that adolescents who don’t get enough sleep are more likely to be overweight, suffer from depressive symptoms, abuse drugs and alcohol, or perform poorly in school. The CDC, National Sleep Foundation, countless studies, pediatricians and psychologists are finally saying what teenagers have known all along. We need more sleep and the current school time frame is just not cutting it.

Schools that have implemented later start times by even 30 minutes have noted higher attendance rates, improved alertness, and better academic performances. An additional 5 minutes sleeping past your alarm feels like such a difference in the morning, so imagine how incredible an extra hour would be. While one could argue that later start times would cause too many organizational shifts and issues for sports or work, for the health of students, later start times need to be implemented. No amount of work is worth more than the future of the next generation.

Con: School Starting Time Should stay the Way It is | Sydnie Welch

L

et’s face it...we ALL hate waking up early, especially when we were up late the night before, finishing homework or binging our favorite Netflix show. Sometimes we probably wonder what it would be like if school started at 9:15 instead of 8:15. I know I do.

However, I would never want the school day to officially start at 9:15 A.M. Although we would get more sleep if we started an hour later, the schedule would completely alter if we did so. We might even end up being at the school an hour later than usual! I would think it is better to end early rather than to start late. If school ends later, it could cause problems for those who have to be at home with younger siblings. Some students participate in extracurricular activities or sports, and they would get done with meetings or practices later than normal, leaving them with less time to do homework.

If school starts later, students will possibly stay up later than usual because they know they’ll get to sleep in a little longer. I for one like the time we start and end school, and I wouldn’t want that to change.

Nevertheless, no matter what time school starts, it’s important to always get a good amount of sleep.

Student Polls

We polled 40 students on their Halloween views | Julia Jaramillo | Are you ever too old to go trick-ortreating?

Yes 40% No 60%

| What was your favorite candy to receive on Halloween?

Nerds 7.5%

M&M’s 15%

Snickers 22.5%

Reeses 55%

| What do you drink in the morning to wake up?

Nothing/ 40% other Shakes/ 7.5% Soothies Energy Drinks 2.5% Coffee 50%

6

QOTM

?

October Question of the Month What was your most embarrassing Halloween moment?

JOHN GOETTLE Sophmore “This”

HANNAH GARDNER Junior “When I was little I went trickor-treating and I walked up to someone’s house and there was a statue of the grim reaper.

I got the candy and turned around and it was standing right behind me and yelled “Boo!” I screamed and sprinted away. I almost forgot to bring my candy with me because I was so scared.”

7

Go to www.smmessenger.wixsite.com/2018-19/qotm to submit now

ELIZABETH JANKOVIAK Freshman “One time I went trick or treating with a group of my friends from Legacy, and all they told me was that we were wearing cow costumes. So I decided to get an inflatable cow suit, and I got to the party and everyone else had these cute little cow onesies on.”

BROOKE MUELLER Senior “The only trick-ortreater my family had the whole night was scared off by my dad’s exotic halloween decorations on our porch.”

ENTERTAINMENT The Meg | David Skully

I

n a year that has been plagued with sub-par releases like Slender-Man and Black Panther, Jon Turteltaub’s The Meg is a breath of fresh of fresh air. With movies like Kong; Skull Island, and Godzilla (2016), The Meg is a great addition to this newly revitalized genre.

It introduces the incredibly creative concept of “make the shark bigger” and pushed it to the limits. The Meg’s writing and premise is far deeper than the waters that the prehistoric Megalodon resides in. It pays an obvious homage to the classic Jaws movies, but it also delivers an original experience. An experience that will introduce the new generation to a fear of getting into the water and never coming out. The Meg, with its bombastic concepts and bodacious presentation, has become the Citizen Kane of shark movies.While Jaws may have popularized shark movies, The Meg perfected it.

We give this movie 8.5 Shark Bites out of 10. If you like shark movies, we certainly recommend you take a “chomp” at this one.

Fright Nights

Some suggestions for your spooky movie nights | Anna Braun

T

he movies of our time have many genres. The most classic genre out there is in the horror movie genre. This October will be full of frights. And I have a list of horror movies that you can watch that will get you to dive deeper into the Halloween season.

Before I Wake (Netflix original) The Insidious movies(1-4) Winchester Happy Death Day The Boy I am the Pretty Little Thing That Lives in the House (Netflix original) The Lazarus Effect There are many more horror movies out there that are very good, but sadly they are rated R and I cannot put them in this article as suggestions for you. I really do encourage you to get out of your comfort zone and watch as many horror movies as you can. They are not for everyone, but they will get you into the spirit of Halloween and will give you some spook-tacular costume ideas.

8

Krispy Pumpkins Both scary and delicious! | Anna Braun

H

ow to make your own Rice Krispy Pumpkins!!

Ingredients: 12oz of Rice Krispy A bag of marshmallows A ½ stick of butter A mixing bowl Tootsie Rolls Orange food dye Instructions: First, put the marshmallows and butter into a bowl and heat them until they are all melted together. Keep in mind that you have to do them in increments as if they are in the microwave for too long they will burn.

Second, add the orange food dye and mix until you get the desired color for your pumpkins.

Third, add in the Rice Krispy a little at a time and mix it all in.

Fourth, use your hands and roll a substantial amount of the Rice Krispy mix into a ball.

Lastly, before they harden stick a tootsie roll on top as a stem and you’re DONE! Super easy and super cute! These are a great way to spice up your Halloween treat game and they also taste super delicious!

9

Pictures from onelittleproject.com and keyingredient.com respectively

RELIGION Meet the New SMCHS Priests: Fr. Dominic and Fr. Wolf | Megha Bharadwaj

MESSENGER: When did you first feel the call to priest hood?

FR. DOMINIC: I felt a call to the priesthood from a young age and it never really went away. I always felt God was calling me to be a priest.

The only thing that made it a difficult decision was that I dated a girl in high school, so I had to see if God was calling me to marriage or the priesthood.

W: A lot of people know that I like football, but not many know that I like basketball quite a lot. If I were equally good at those, I probably would have played basketball.

M: Favorite band/musical artist?

D: Chris Stapleton W: 90s Country. I like Sawyer Brown.

much of an NBA or NHL fan though.

M: What job would you have chosen if you weren’t called to the priesthood?

M: What was your immediate response when drawn to the priesthood? W: I was doing engineering. That was very career-focused though. It wasn’t necessarily FR. WOLF: Oh. That’s a good question. The first response was an attraction to the possibility. I thought it was an amazing calling. In fact, that I liked it. It was just so that you could make money. I might have been a teacher, too. one of the reasons that I struggled for a while to accept the vocation was that I thought that my response was not unique. I thought that the M: What’s your biggest interest not related to fact that I felt this way wasn’t really a sign that I was meant to be a your priestly duties? priest.

W: Probably sports. College football, NFL, college basketball, not

M: A fun fact that not many know about you D: I made the State Geography Bee as a fourth grader.

M: What do you normally do in your free time?

D: Playing sports or watching sports, and just hanging out with my friends.

M: Does pineapple belong on pizza?

W: Oh, gosh, no. No pineapple on pizza, nope.

Saint of The Month: St. Teresa of Avil | Allyson Treiber

S

t. Teresa was a rebellious teenager who was more interested in boys and clothes than she was with her faith. When she was around the age of 16 he father sent her to a convent in hope that she'd start to appreciate and worship God. She belonged to the Carmelite convent where she tried hard to practice mental prayer but often had a hard time keeping a connection with Jesus Christ. She admitted that she liked the idea of religion and that the faith grew on her quickly. However, in her middle aged years, Teresa suffered a seizure from Malaria. Frustrated with God she used her sickness as an excuse to not pray. Her reasonings would range from there not being enough time to pray all the way to the idea that

a wild sinner such as herself didn't deserve to be granted favors from God. As time passed Teresa eventually got into prayer again where she experienced spiritual delights in prayer. She soon became very close with God and one day he told her he wanted her to become friends with angels rather than humans. Her friends claimed the devil had put false visions in her head and gossiped about her often. She did as God wished and learned the valuable lesson that the quality of a friend was worth more than the quantity of which they came in. Finally at the age of 43 she was tired of the gossip that surrounded her and looked at finding a new covenant that lead a simple life.

After moving around to many covenants she fell ill and died on October 4 at the age of 67.

In 1970 she was named a Doctor of the Church for her many books on the writings and teachings of prayer. Teresa is an important figure for the faith because she teaches us that everyone can pray and be loved by God. Even sinners can be loved by God for he has enough room in his heart for all of us.

She believed that a spiritual life is to be led with passion and love and was not meant for one to treat religion like a rule. In other words Teresa believed that when one made a mistake, they should change for the better instead of being punished.

Teresa was a strong independent women who practiced religion in her own way and was changed greatly by Christ as so many of us are.

10

ROCK Groups Cracked Open

Saints for Life, Knights of Virtues, Vera Forma, and Catholic Athletes for Christ | Maria Fleck

S

aint Mary’s Central High School’s chaplain and assistant chaplains organize and put on the four ROCK events that happen every year. But as a way for students to grow in their faith in between these events, four smaller groups were founded, Saints for Life, Knights of Virtue, Vera Forma (formerly Forma Veritas), and Catholic Athletes for Christ. Here’s a closer look at each ROCK small group.

CATHOLIC

SAINTS FOR LIFE

This is probably the largest of these KNIGHTS OF VITURE four groups. Led by Mr. Emmel, Knights of Virtue is led this group’s focus is on advancing

by Mr. Richter and is an the pro-life movement. Whether all-men’s group. Through that means decorating the school genuine friendship, prayer, for Christmas, working breakfasts and other fun events, this for the St. Gianna Maternity Home, group works to create men praying outside North Dakota’s only of virtue for abortion clinic, or attending the God. There also national March for traditionally has Life, students are been a campout given many chancon the Richter es to spread their farm to end the joy and passion school year. through this group.

Halloween Vs. All Soul’s Day A spooky conudrum | Rachel Rusch

H

alloween is a very fun time of year. It’s a time spent with friends, fun, and candy. But do you ever wonder where Halloween actually came from?

Halloween is a name derived from “All Hallow’s Eve” which is a name related to the Feast Days of the Saints.

Halloween was originally a celebration on the day before All Saint’s Day, on November 1st. It was a day where people asked God for protection and safety from the evil in the world. This was also a time to celebrate the souls of the dead, through celebrations like Dia de los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead, in Mexico.

11

VERA FORMA

This year, Vera Forma is being headed by Ms. Vetter. It’s an all-women’s group for students seeking authentic friendships within SMCHS. This group’s mission is to discover how to become women of true beauty though prayer, various fun activities, and fellowship. The group plans on being more active than the past few years, and already has had three or four meetings and events.

ATHLETES FOR CHRIST Mr. Etzold is helping run the group this year. They do different sports related activities and talk about what it means to be a Christian athlete and how to grow in virtue through sports. This is a perfect group for any athlete who wants to glorify God through their talents.

Over hundreds of years ago in Britain and Ireland, Halloween was a time where people dressed up in costumes to act out the battles between good and evil around a fire. Today, Halloween has turned into what some call a secular holiday, where kids dress up in cute, funny, or even scary costumes, and go door to door asking for candy. However, many Catholic Churches have Mass on Halloween night, varying in times from 12:30 to 6:30. Many Churches also have a Book of the Dead, whereparishioners can write in the names of their loved ones, and friends who have died.

So while everyone has different opinions on Halloween, I think that it is a good holiday with an interesting origin. Halloween is a time for everyone to celebrate in whatever way they choose, whether that be to spend time with friends and family, go trick-or-treating, or to go to Mass. So whichever way you choose to celebrate, stay safe and have a great Halloween!

SPORTS Senior Spotlight

An inside look into some of the athletic careers of our seniors | Jeffery Salvadel

GABBY EASTON: GOLF

MESSENGER: What

season?

are you looking forward to most this

The thing I was most looking forward to this season is spending time with my teammates. My hope is that I can assist in building the Saint Mary’s girls golf team up before I graduate in the spring.

M: What is your favorite club?

G: My favorite club is an 8 iron.

M: What is your favorite memory from golf that you have?

G: My favorite memory was being a part of creating the Saint Mary’s girls golf team my sophomore year of high school.

GABBY:

COLTON SHEETZ: SOCCER MESSENGER: If

you play?

you didn’t play goalie, what position would

If I didn’t play goalie, I would definitely play striker.

M: What is your favorite part about co-oping with Mandan?

C: My favorite thing about the co-op with Mandan is that all of the St. Mary’s guys can stay together.

M: What is your favorite memory all-time about playing soccer?

C: Scoring the fifth penalty kick in a shootout to win the game.

COLTON:

CLAYTON REID: BOWLING

MESSENGER: What is the highest score you’ve ever gotten?

CLAYTON: 300.

M: Are you on a team or in a league? If so, which ones?

C: I am in the Sr. High league at Midway. I am also on the

traveling High School team and the Scratch team. I also do traveling tournaments by myself in Minnesota.

M: What’s the craziest thing that’s ever happened while you were bowling?

C: I threw a shot and all the pins went down except for the 10, which slid over into the 8 pin spot.

12

A New Side to Soccer | Kathryn Goettle

S

aint Mary’s school pride has been crossing over into other Bismarck schools for many years with all the co-ops that the school has. From cross country, to hockey, to swimming, Saint Mary’s has had stellar athletes competing for other schools. And now the pride has expanded across the river to Mandan.

Saint Mary’s boys’ soccer team has entered a unique co-op with Mandan that is unlike any that other sports have. In other sports, the Saint Mary’s athletes get split up and go with the school district in which they live. But in this new co-op, all the boy soccer athletes are playing with Mandan. While it is always hard joining another team, a number of Saint Mary’s boys decided to continue playing the sport they love.

Colton Scheetz, another senior, agrees with Schon that his favorite part about the co-op is playing with his Saint Mary’s teammates. According to Scheetz, the season, “Started out kind of slow because we [were] still getting to know each other and how everyone play[ed].” A few bumps are to be expected when putting together a brand-new team, but Scheetz says, “The Mandan guys have been very welcoming to us this season (and) the Saint Mary’s guys are all grateful of their willingness to accept us.”

Though the team did not win all their games, overall the merge has been successful, and the two school have melded well into one team that looks like they have been playing together all their lives.

Alex Schon, a senior at Saint Mary’s has enjoyed playing the season with the Mandan team, but says, “The best part about co-oping with Mandan is that we are able to stay together as a Saint Mary’s team while we play.”

Volleyball: A Great Season | Alyssa Rud

A

ll the ladies on the 2018-2019 SMCHS volleyball teams, ranging from 9th – 12th grade, are off to a confident start. Over the years, they have acquired amazing and passionate players on the teams. They can really play as a team instead of playing for themselves, which goes to show growth and respect for each-other, and the game itself.

Senior Allison Schumacher said, “We’ve had a lot of hard fought, 5-set matches this season. Some of them have gone our way, others haven’t. But each game is a learning experience for us.” The matches are very fun for spectators to watch.

The girls are very supportive of each other. Schumacher adds, “We’re all really close on and off the court. We know each others strengths and weaknesses, and we

help each other when we are struggling.”

It is always important for a team to set goals for the season and the volleyball team is no execption.

Sophomore Lauryn Hoesel explains, “Some goals we’ve set as a team are to work hard and just be good teammates. Making it to the state tournament too, obviously!”

The volleyball girls have worked very hard and with their attitude, they should be able to achieve their goals. Plus, the games are fun! Allison Schumacher closes with, “We like to have fun when we play! Any game you come to, you can see us jumping and screaming to hype each other up. So if you haven’t made it to a game yet, you should! The games are fast paced, and you will have a blast cheering on our volleyball girls!

Picture provided by Miss Renae Vetter

Picture above provided by Miss Renae Vetter

SM Saints Football Headed to a Three-peat | Anderson Hagerott

W

hen the Saints football team started their season, people were unsure how the team would preform this year. The team had lost a lot of good players from last year, and they were starting the season with a few senior injuries and more than a few young players who had to fill some pretty big shoes. Lucky the Saints managed to win every team they played early in the season. Coach Smrekar credits the team’s early success to amazing senior leadership. Many of the players believe the team is driven by grit, determination, and a desire blow everyone’s expectations out of the water.

The team managed to remain undefeated for most of their early season until they took a loss from Shanley High School. Senior Jayce Hoesel called the loss humbling. “It shows that the team is not perfect and that there is room for improvement.” Coach

Smrekar agreed by saying, “We learn something from every loss. All this means is that we have to work harder.”

The team rallied from the loss and dominate pretty much every team they have faced since then.

Members of the team and staff are confident that the Saint’s football team is well on their way to another state championship. “ We learn something from every loss.

All this means is that we have to work harder.”

14

The Messenger would like to congratulate the members of the 2018 Homecoming Court!

Honor • Pride • Service to Country, State & Community

Don’t let tuition costs stop you from reaching your goals.The Army National Guard can help you receive the money you need for college as well as the skills and training you need to get the career you want.

• Tuition Assistance & Student Loan Repayment • Montgomery GI Bill worth up to $369 month • Retirement Benefits For Part-Time Service • 401(k)-Type Savings Plan • Low-Cost Health, Life & Dental Insurance • Serve your Community, State & Country

SSG Brett Gentile @ 701-527-4281 NATIONALGUARD.com