The Bear Facts: August 2017

Bear Facts the

VOLUME 21, NUMBER 1

bruin bites

THE GREAT AMERICAN ECLIPSE A group of St. Joe students plan to leave campus early on Sunday, Aug. 20, for an overnight trip to Nashville to see the Great American

Eclipse.

After lunch in Memphis, students will bus to Nashville and stay overnight at Father Ryan Catholic High School. On Monday, Aug. 21, they will view the eclipse – which will pass over Nashville – before returning to campus late that night.

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 11, 2017

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SAINT JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL

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MADISON, MISSISSIPPI

WJXC moves studio to St. Joe Radio station adds to award-winning high school journalism program

By JOHN BALADI The Bear Facts WJXC Jackson, Mississippi Catholic Radio 107.9, plans to move its studio to the St. Joseph Catholic School campus on Monday and Tuesday.

St. Joe will become the only high

school in Mississippi with a working radio station on its campus. St. Joe students produce live coverage of Bruin football and basketball games for WJXC. “This takes high school journalism at St. Joseph Catholic School to a higher level,” said Terry Cassreino, St. Joe’s

journalism teacher. “This move will allow our students to produce more original and live radio programming throughout the year.”

WJXC studios will be located inside Room 202, the journalism classroom in the St. Joe library.

The station is a low-power FM station that broadcasts from the top of St. Dominic’s Hospital in Jackson. The station airs the Eternal World Television Network radio programming

when not airing local productions.

Currently, St. Joseph football and basketball games are the only locally produced programming on WJXC. The Bruin Sports Radio takes the air for the first time on Friday, Aug. 18, when the Bruins take on Newton County that night.

Nick Zouboukos, a senior who serves as the play-by-play announcer for Bruin football, said he is excited by See WJXC, Page 3

FLAG ON THE PLAY

CLASS SCHEDULE CHANGES St. Joe students have until Friday, Aug. 18, to make changes to their class schedules. Schedule change forms are available at the guidance counselor’s office.

Students who have any questions should see Mrs. Anne Piazza or Mrs. Debbie Carrington.

MASS: FEAST OF THE ASSUMPTION Students, faculty, staff, parents and friends will celebrate the Feast of the Assumption on Tuesday, Aug. 15, in the Fine Arts theater.

Mass will be at 9:50 a.m., and students must wear their dress uniform. Because the school will celebrate Mass on Tuesday, St. Joe will not have Mass on Thursday, Aug. 17.

sports VOLLEYBALL EYES STATE TITLE

Submitted photo Members of the St. Joe color guard practice in the parking lot this summer. The color guard plans to perform at halftime of all home football games this fall.

The color guard returns after a four-year hiatus.

Color guard returns to St. Joseph Catholic School and football half time shows for the first time in four years this summer in preparation for football season.

Members practiced on Saturdays and for a week in July. They also performed at the Annual Bruin The St. Joseph color guard returns to the field Band cookout, Thursday, July 26, 2017. for Friday night halftime shows this year after a The group, comprised of students from Grades four-year hiatus.

9-12, is led by first-year coach Rachael Lambert.

The nine-member color guard squad will perform alongside the St. Joseph Bruin marching Lambert has previous color guard experience, band and Spirit Steppers dance team during the performing at Clinton High School and Hinds Community College. half-time show of the home football games.

The color-guard has practiced relentlessly See COLOR GUARD Page 3

Story by Rodney Self

The Bruin volleyball team, coming off a 17-15 season last year, is ready to challenge for a state championship.

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BRUIN FOOTBALL READY FOR JAMBOREE After weeks of practice in the blistering summer heart, the St. Joe Bruin football team takes to the field today at a pre-season Jamboree hosted by Madison Central High School. The Bruin junior varsity plays at 4 p.m., followed by the varsity at 4:30 p.m.

By BLAINE TURNER The Bear Facts

Principal Dena Kinsey is ready for her first full school year as head of St. Joseph Catholic School – five months after she took office in March.

PAGE 4 Mrs. Kinsey has worked at St. Joe since the 2013-2014 school year.

She began as the eighth grade religion teacher. During the 2015-2016 she became the high school director.

Under her leadership, she has Opinion: Page 2 hired several new teachers, appointEditorial: Page 2 ed a new high school director and News: Page 1, 3 helped create a new bell schedule.

She took some time last week to Sports: Page 3, 4 answer questions for The Bear Facts.

inside

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Kinsey ready for challenge as principal THE BEAR FACTS: What made you want to be the principal?

DENA KINSEY: It just seemed like a natural role for me. I tend to step in and organize things (and tell people what to do), so I earned my master’s degree in educational leadership at MC in 2011.

Principal at St. Joe specifically? This is my school. I love the people here.

I’ve received so much from this community that I felt it only right that I should try to give back.

THE BEAR FACTS: How has being principal met or not met your expectations?

MRS. KINSEY: I was well See KINSEY, Page 3

Submitted photo Principal Dena Kinsey and students on the first day of the 2017-2018 school year.

New editors lead St. Joseph student media for 2017-2018 From staff reports Seniors Michael Corkern, Blaine Turner and Nick Zouboukos along with junior Kaycee Jackson will serve as this year’s leadership team overseeing St. Joseph Catholic School student media.

Turner will serve as editor of The Bear Facts, the student newspaper; Jackson will serve as editor of The Shield, the St. Joe yearbook; and Corkern and Zouboukos will serve as broad-

cast editors overseeing Bruin News Now and Bruin Sports Radio.

“St. Joe is lucky to have such an outstanding, dedicated group of student leaders heading our newspaper, NICK BLAINE ANNA CHRIS MICHAEL JOE KAYCEE yearbook and broadcast efZOUBOUKOS TURNER NICHOLAS CORKERN PEARSON JACKSON forts,” said Terry Cassreino, the school’s communications since they joined the high school jour- high school media program has been so director who also teaches high school nalism program,” Mr. Cassreino said. successful.” journalism.

“Their hard work and leadership are Turner will lead the newspaper staff, “These students have worked hard among the many reasons the St. Joe helped by sophomore Joe Pearson who

will enter his second year as sports editor. Turner said he hopes to publish at least six editions of the paper this year if not more.

The Mississippi Scholastic Press Association named The Bear Facts a runner-up to best high school newspaper in Mississippi.

“My goal is to make sure The Bear Facts is relevant to students at our school, that it informs, educates and entertains readers with stories about See EDITORS, Page 3

Opinion

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 11, 2017

New school year creates new opportunities

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he new school year is finally here.

The first few days of the new school year have passed and the first week is almost over.

Sure, it’s challenging for us BLAINE all to shed those summertime pleasures like staying up late, not TURNER editor having to wake up early, taking afternoon naps, and only having a little summer reading to worry about.

But it’s a fair trade-off to diving right in and building a new school year. For some, that building will focus on developing relationships with teachers, expanding the friendship circle or participating in an activity that you’ve always wanted to try. The sound of the opening bell is the opportunity to begin building what will consume the next 10 month of our lives.

The beginning of every new school year is important. The attitudes that we have going

“

The sound of the opening bell is the opportunity to begin building what will consume the next 10 months of our lives.”

“

The new school year can be molded into something original, something memorable.”

into new year usually become a self-fulfilling prophesy. The return of investment has a direct relationship to what we contribute. In essence, we get out exactly what we put in.

Furthermore, if we think that the school year will be bad before we encounter it, it usually becomes exactly what we thought it would be.

This is why is it is essential to keep a positive outlook on this opportunity to start anew.

With this in mind, I challenge all students to think of the new school year as a new opportunity, simply because that is exactly what it is. Undeniably, it is a new beginning and an opportunity to correct mistakes made last year. Like a piece of clay, the new school year can be molded into something original, something memorable. We will only get out of it what we put into it, and now is the time to start making deposits that will count.

The next ten months will be filled with many adventures, changes, and challenges. We have to be wiling to accept those challenges with the inevitable changes that accompany them and forge ahead. We should also look

Our view

Making this year a success

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ive down, 175 to go.

One hundred and seventy-five days sounds much shorter than it feels, and a lot of our fellow students would agree.

The past week has been packed with schedule changes, confusion and cafeteria food. The opening days of any school year are the busiest time of the academic year. Multiple sports are preparing for their seasons or are already underway. And students are stressing about new classes, new teachers and quizzes and tests assigned during the first few days of class.

We have great expectations for the 20172018 school year, and we hope you do, too. A lot of exciting things will take place this year, including the WJXC move to the St. Joe campus next week and the school-sponsored field trip to Nashville on Aug. 20 to view the solar eclipse. We also will have the usual assortment of school dances, sporting events and theatrical productions.

We all know not everything will go according to plan. Some things will inevitably go wrong. Students might not always complete assignments. And video for the Bruin News Now weekly newscast may disappear.

You’ll forget to complete a class assignment or to study for a major test. Your dog might even actually eat your homework one day.

But, there is something to be said about struggles and the students here at St. Joseph.

We are unique. Our school is unique. And with God by our side, we can solve any problems, overcome any obstacles and set the ship straight.

Something we heard often on Monday, the first day of the new school year, was that most students were not excited to start school but they were excited to see all of their friends once again. Our friends, our relationships with them and with God, are what makes the struggles we face bearable.

So, when things get tough this year, lean on God, lean on your friends and hold tight until the next long weekend.

Have a great year≠. Make the most of the remaining 175 days. It’s not too late. It’s never too late.

BEAR FACTS The

Blaine Turner Editor

Joe Pearson Sports Editor

Terry R. Cassreino, Faculty Adviser Dena Kinsey, Principal

Submitted photo Seventh graders begin their middle school career at St. Joe on Monday with an orientation program.

within ourselves to answer this burning question. Can you make something better without changing it?

That question invokes thought in many.

Change is usually seen a negative force; however, most times it’s the force that creates a better version of something. It is important that while on the journey to building that we keep in mind, we have the chance to build

whatever we want. Also whatever we do build will be far better than what we left behind.

Last year was great for some and not so great for others. Instead of focusing on the past we should focus on building the future.

The past cannot be changed, so we might as well begin to mold the future into what we want it to be. So, let’s decide today to embrace what is new and to make this school year the best ever.

Senior year is too complicated

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ou’ve made it over the last hurdle, everything is downhill from here.

But is that even true? Senior year is perhaps the biggest hurdle in itself. Every turn you take throughout the year will either lead you to spending money, smiling for excessive periods of time or being on the verge of a mental break down.

RODNEY Because I am taking three AP classes, this whole SELF summer has been nothing but work for me with columnist summer reading and calculus and physics packets. I have not stopped since the end of my junior year.

In the blink of an eye it’s the final days of summer, and you feel like you have done nothing but school work. You haven’t even finished all your assignments. What was supposed to be a time to “relax and unwind from school” has now turned into two months of “Did I finish and submit that assignment?”

This is when time management becomes key. I suggest an agenda or specifying a certain day of the week to work on an assignment. Throughout the summer, continuously stick to this schedule.

Dealing with summer assignments may seem like it is an easy task. I truly felt the stress once college applications began opening. I had to make sure my ACT scores, transcript and even my senior schedule was submitted to the colleges.

Stress didn’t end because scholarship application opened immediately at the same time. So, I had no break for my college

materials. As if being on the verge of a mental breakdown and constant school work during the summer isn’t bad enough, I was being robbed as well.

To avoid the stress for you and your counselor, I recommend applying early in the summer. While your counselor has free time, she or he will be able to submit your transcript and schedule along with your ACT to your desired colleges.

Senior portraits, senior activities and college-application fees are just a few amenities which sought constant payment and attention. Throughout the year, I will have more to pay for graduation photos, a cap-and-gown purchase and college housing fees.

My last recommendation is to begin saving your money because, like they say, “every cent counts.” Frugality will become your best friend during your senior year. Also, talk with your parents and see if you can open your own savings account and/or checking account to be sure you have a debit card for when you have to pay your application fees.

Senior year is perhaps your biggest hurdle to climb because you are constantly paying money, stressing and doing work.

However, the saddest issue of all is that it is your final year with your friends. Even though is seems difficult, you just have to enjoy it.

You will never get this year back, so make the most of it.

Finding success in unexpected ways

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ver the last two years, I guess you can say I’ve been exposed to some surprises.

For example I wrote this piece originally for a creative writing camp I attended in July. It was the morning before camp officially started. I needed to have a piece of writing for the GARRETT camp, so I worked on this lecture of sorts on the GROVE car ride to Millsaps for the camp. If anything, I columnist surprised myself. I’m usually not a procrastinator.

I presented this work to my peers at the camp, and now I am presenting to my peers at school.

My journey to this writing camp began last year in the 10th grade. In my mind, my next two school years were already planned out. I would take chemistry and Spanish II this year; AP Chemistry the next year; and then “A,” “B,” “C,” “D,” “E,” “F” and “G” – the whole 9 yards.

But unfortunately at the time, I was a naive sophomore on the first day of school. My class schedule was messed up, the very thing over which I thought I had complete control. I was in a class I hadn’t even applied for: Foundations in Journalism. I also wasn’t supposed to be in PE either, but in this story of surprise, that doesn’t matter.

Our journalism teacher, Mr. Cassreino, gave us an assignment due at the end of the week. It was to interview people who took the class last year and write a report about what students could expect from the class. For this year, only three of the 13 people who took that class last year will still be in the journalism program, including me. Just let that sink in for a minute. Anyway, I have to admit, I wanted out of the class even before he told us about the assignment. So, just before Mr. Cassreino announced this first assignment, I asked him if I could talk to him after class.

I told Mr. Cassreino I didn’t mean to take the class right now, And I needed to take Spanish II, the class that I should have been in instead. Mr. Cassreino understood, but he was a little disappointed. He was actually looking forward to having me in the class; he had taught me English in the eighth grade.

Either way, when I requested the change and got my new schedule, I was still in Journalism and not Spanish II. My classes were just reordered. I was frustrated. And my mom was, too. So, because my schedule had not been right for a week, my mom made me keep it the way it was – which was just terrible. At first.

The rather shocking thing was that I ended up getting invested

The Bear Facts is a proud member of the Mississippi Scholastic Press Association and the Columbia Scholastic Press Association.

into the class and falling in love with it. It was easy for me. Unlike anyone else in the class, I openly and regularly volunteered for stuff to do. In fact, that is why, among other things, I got an award for academic excellence in that class.

I didn’t just take this class, I enjoyed taking this class. Honestly, if the situation turned out with me taking Spanish II last year, I wouldn’t have this desire to disperse information through journalism, both broadcast and print, and I most certainly would not have been talking in front of students from various schools across the state and the Southeast at a writing camp on the Millsaps campus.

More importantly, I wouldn’t have submitted this story for The Bear Facts because I wouldn’t have stayed in journalism and this story would not even exist. This experience has truly shaped me, and honestly, it's nothing short of a God-given sign and miracle.

Of course, not all surprises are all hunky-dory, especially in my life. On June 29, I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. It was genetic. I have been eating much healthier now than when I was younger. For those of you who knew Bryant, my older brother, he has had Type 1 Diabetes since he was 5. So, I knew a little bit about how to manage it at the beginning.

Have you ever read “The Last Lecture” by Randy Pausch?

If not, it’s available for less than $10 on this amazing website no one’s ever heard of: Amazon. I read it over the summer for required reading. One of the most famous quotes from the book are ‘We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand.’ Diabetes, both Type 1 and 2 are serious diseases, but it is key to keep in mind that “The Last Lecture” was written (and actually occurred) as Mr. Pausch was dying from terminal cancer.

He chose despite his circumstances, to play his cards to the best of his ability, showing optimism and an empowered drive to be the best person he could be.

This is truly inspiring. It shows that even the surprises in life that blind side us still can be used to aid in the greater good for ourselves and others. Because as we move on through life, the influence and the difference we’ve made in the lives of others still resonates with them, whether we were close to them or not. It reminds me of what Maya Angelou said once: “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

And that’s something I want to be remembered for, making someone feel good at the end of the day, even if they forgot how I did so in the first place.

The Bear Facts, the official student newspaper of St. Joseph Catholic School, is published at least once each quarter of the school year. All stories and photographs are copyright © 2017 by The Bear Facts and St. Joseph Catholic School.

Reproduction and unauthorized use of any article, photograph or graphic is prohibited without written consent. Contact The Bear Facts, P.O. Box 2027, Madison, MS 39130-2927.

Opinions expressed on this page belong solely to the author or authors and do not necessarily represent the beliefs and opinions of the staff of The Bear Facts; the staff, leadership and administration of St. Joseph Catholic School; or the staff, leadership and administration of the Catholic Diocese of Jackson.

Bruin News

FRIDAY, AUGUST 11, 2017

KINSEY, from page 1 prepared at MC, and my two years as high school director really gave me an idea of how to work with students, teachers and parents.

I’ve had to learn about accounting and finance, and I’ve been completely shocked at how much money, time and energy it takes to keep everyone informed and to make sure this place can be all it can be.

THE BEAR FACTS: How have your responsibilities changed with becoming the principal?

MRS. KINSEY: Many more people need me much more often than ever before. I have always loved being accessible to my students, and I want to have that same interaction time with the community. I’m having to learn how to balance it all.

Most people really have good suggestions and want to help.

THE BEAR FACTS: What other changes can we expect to see throughout the school year?

MRS. KINSEY: We’re working hard to make sure students and teachers are supported, whether it’s through additional training for teachers or extra help in class for students. We’re mak-

ing some upgrades to the football stadium since we’re expecting big crowds for the JA game and Homecoming against Canton Academy.

THE BEAR FACTS: What are your short term and long term goals for St. Joe? MRS. KINSEY: Short-term: I want to improve teaching and learning while gaining an appreciation for Mass.

We’re great, but we can always be better. Long-term: I want us to be the natural choice for the students at St. Richard, St. Anthony and Sr. Thea Bowman.

St. Joe should be ever present in those communities, and those families should already feel like they’re Bruins.

THE BEAR FACTS: As the principal what is your vision for the school?

MRS. KINSEY: I want St. Joe to be the school that people come to because not only do they know their children will be loved but also that their education is quality.

I want everyone to leave here better Submitted photo than they came. I think we do this now, but the community doesn’t know about Seventh graders Kyndal Pace, Gia Picarella, Kelsey Shaffer and Chloe Taylor build a pyramid out of cups as part of a first-day it. I want us to be a household name exercise for new students on Monday, Aug. 7 – the first day of the new school year and Mrs. Dena Kinsey’s first year as principal.

Mrs. Kinsey took over as principal following Spring Break in March. because we are a great school.

COLOR GUARD, from page 1 “I took the role as coach because I wanted the opportunity to share my passion with people who are interested in learning and sharing it,” Lambert said.

“I wanted to give them a new skill not everyone has. I plan for the color guard to grow as a whole, take them to competitions, and teach them how to spin a weapon such as rifles and sabres.”

The color guard has not performed since the 2013-2014 school year.

Cheryl Macke, a rising senior, said, she “joined the color guard because I loved watching the flag team when I was in middle school.”

Although it is her first year, Macke has high expectations for Lambert and the future of the program. Many of her

expectations have already been surpassed.

“So far, the routines have pretty phenomenal,” Macke said.

Performing alongside Macke will be rising junior Alexia Brown.

“I joined the color guard because it seemed like a new and fun thing to do,” said Brown, who also has high expectations this season.

“I expect for the color guard coach Ms. Lambert to teach the other girls and me, since most of us have never done color guard before – though she is already doing a good job.”

The color guard will perform alongside the St. Joe band and Spirit Steppers, both of whom are under new student leadership.

After four years under Tess Lott, the

EDITORS, from page 1 St. Joe Band welcomes new drum major, sophomore Thyme Turner. The St. Joe Spirit Steppers also promoted senior Hannah Toombs to captain. Leading with Toombs will be Helen Mary Katool, first lieutenant, and Carrie Ann Loper, second lieutenant.

With all the new leadership and returning talent, the color guard is only going to make Friday Night Lights at St. Joe more memorable.

“I’ve enjoyed this season, and I can’t wait for the group to experience the excitement they’ll have after the first performance,” Lambert said.

“The joy and happiness after showing everyone what you worked so hard on learning is one of the proudest moments a color guard member could have.”

important happenings on campus,” said Turner, who served as second-in-command last year.

Jackson, who was an assistant editor of the yearbook last year, will take over the reins of the annual publication this year. Jackson will be assisted by sophomore Anna Chris Nicholas.

Jackson said she wants to make sure the 2017-2018 yearbook is an accurate representation of the entire school year.

Jackson and Nicholas already began work on the yearbook by attending a summer yearbook camp sponsored by Balfour, the book’s publisher.

Corkern and Zouboukos enter their second year as the chief broadcast editors, overseeing production of the third season of the award-winning Bruin News Now weekly newscast and Bruin

Sports Radio coverage of varsity football and basketball games.

Corkern and Zouboukos will supervise weekly newscast and radio production, making sure both are ready for broadcast every Friday. Corkern spent a week this past summer attending the Al Neuharth Free Spirit & Journalism Conference in Washington.

“We have a great group of students returning this year to produce the newscasts and radio programming as well as to edit the newspaper and yearbook,” Zouboukos said. “This program continues to grow and be successful because of the pride and hard work everyone puts into everything we do.”

VOLLEYBALL, from page 4

WJXC, from page 1 the opportunities WJXC presents.

“I think it’s a great opportunity for the entire school, not just the journalism program,” Zouboukos said.

“With it being right there in the journalism room, it gives us easier access and gives us the opportunity for a weekly show which will be able to get more students involved and getting more experience all around.

“It also will give the Bruin Sports Radio team an easier way to broadcast during football and basketball season, and give the school a lot of exposure as this doesn’t happen much, if at all.”

Bruin Sports Radio has been webcasting football games every Friday night since 2013.

WJXC started airing the games live

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in fall 2016 and will continue to do so this year.

Bruin Sports Radio will webcast the Friday Jamboree beginning at 3:30 p.m.; the Jamboree will not be aired on WJXC. Bruin Sports Radio will begin broadcasting games on WJXC on Friday, Aug. 18 with the regular season opener at home between St. Joe and Newton County High School.

“We are excited to have WJXC studio on the St. Joseph campus,” Mr. Cassreino said.

“The fact that the station is moving to St. Joe is a testament to the talented students we have on campus.”

leadership, and hard work The team plans to make this should be achievable a push for the state title for all team members. this year, but this will be Individual improvement is no easy feat. The team lost fundamentally important three players to graduation to the team because, as with last year – Shelby Doiron, every team, the chain is Bergen Teeter, and Arianna only as strong as its weakest ALLIE OLIVIA ALEXANDRIA LARISSA Marshal – and replacing link. By striving to make all MILNER PATTERSON SMITH ARMOUR them will be a big challenge. members better players and Six new seniors will move by building each other up, the up to take their place as team will be able to perform also has some underclassmen who very well at a high level of competition. leaders on and off the court. show true potential and can bring a Through practice, hard work, and great deal of talent to the team.

Allie Milner, Olivia Patterson, Freshmen Mina Leffler, Grace Goodloe dedication, the Bruin volleyball team Alexandria Smith, Larissa Armour, and Jordan Muse are excellent players and will be a tough competitor this season. and Katie Joseph are strong players, The team is stacked with talent, has no will be able to benefit the team both this great leaders, and have a lot to bring shortage of leadership, and has their season and seasons to come. to the team as they assume their new eyes on the prize! They plan to once The team’s main goal, aside from positions as seniors on the team. again win the district, and this year, the winning state, is to improve as In addition to the seniors, the team individuals. With great coaching, state championship.

PEARSON COLUMN, from page 4 weight room since November,” said Cameron Watson, a senior offensive and defensive lineman.

“And now we get to get on the field CAMERON and show everyone WATSON what we’re capable of doing.”

This year will be a new opportunity to show the people of the Jackson-area that the Bruins can compete with anybody.

Besides Jackson Academy and Jackson Prep, we also will play Canton Academy and Tri-County Academy for the first time. And, of course, we will once again play arch-rival St. Andrew’s.

After our practice stretched two hours into Monday morning, July 31, – with lights bearing down, parents and friends in the stands, and a full Photo by Bailey Miller /The Bear Facts moon staring at us – Coach Lott Coach Todd Lott instructs lineman during the midnight practice of Sunday, July 30. The first official practice of the year lasted into sounded his whistle.

“Everybody up!”

A sigh of relief ran through the players.

We were dead on our feet. The team gathered around Coach Lott. Sweat ran TODD down everyone’s face.

LOTT Cleats were covered with a mix of grass and dew.

Together, we ended the practice and prayed “The Lord’s Prayer.”

At the end, senior wide receiver Hayden Bryce looked earnestly at the team. Then, in a deep, commanding voice, he said: “We’re all we got.”

Coach Lott replied: “We’re all we need.”

Joe Pearson is the sports editor for The Bear Facts and a member of the Bruin football team.

the early morning hours of Monday, July 31.

SWIM , from page 4 school against rival schools in the Madison-Ridgeland area. Parents volunteer at the meets.

These meets help the team grow close and become friends. Seniors on the team cheer and encourage the younger Bruins who are trying to achieve their times for the North State and State meets.

North State will be at Delta State University on Homecoming weekend.

The top 16 swimmers in their event will go to State Meet at the Tupelo Aquatic Center. State Meet is held in late October and determines which team wins the championship.

Coach Collins believes many swimmers will make it to both North State and State Meet. The boys and girls have placed in the past years. For the past two

BACK TO SCHOOL WITH ‘SUPER B’

years, the Lady Bruins have taken home the gold, and Collins expects nothing less. Many swimmers have placed individually and have won many relays.

“

This year’s team just shows so much potential, and I think we will have another great season this year.”

–Ried Smith, junior member of the swim team

Submitted photo “Super B,” the new physics teacher, makes a dramatic entrance to a school assembly on the first day of classes Monday.

Bruin Sports PAGE 4

sports line

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 11, 2017

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SAINT JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL

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MADISON, MISSISSIPPI

Bruins battle Velma Jackson tonight

FOOTBALL TAKES FIELD THIS MONTH

By CHARLIE LOTT The Bear Facts

ThirtyON THE AIR three players, 10 seniors Bruin Sports Radio and, once brings you all of the again, a action live from today’s hundred new Jamboree. challenges to overcome for ON THE WEB: TuneIn the St. Joe Radio Channel ASO football team. Audio13 or follow the The Bruins link at play tonight www.stjoebruins.com at Madison Central High School in a pre-season Jamboree against the 2017 SCHEDULE Velma Jackson Falcons. n AUG. 18: Newton Then, one week later, on Aug. 18, the Bruins n AUG. 25: at Tri-County will open regular season play at home against Academy Newton High School – a rematch of last years’ n SEPT. 1: Jackson first-round playoff game St. Joe won.

Academy Last years’ game was a nail-biter, coming n SEPT. 8: at St. Andrew’s down to a last-second interception by thenn SEPT. 15: at Jackson Prep senior John Turner to seal the game. n SEPT. 22: Union n SEPT. 29: at Pelahatchie n OCT. 6: Mize n OCT. 13: Canton Academy (Homecoming) n OCT. 20: at Puckett n OCT. 27: Pisgah (Senior Night)

“It’s time for underclassmen to step up and fill positions. Rising seniors need to be prepared to lead the team to a successful season,” said senior lineman Cameron Watson said, one of a handful of returning players with extensive on-field experience.

Senior Reed Collins will take the helm as quarterback. For the third year, the Bruins will have a new offensive coordinator: Bo Bradberry, who joins the staff after a previous stint at Gulfport High.

St. Joe will not play longtime Catholic school rivals Natchez Cathedral, St. Aloysius and St. Joe Greenville this year.

Besides the usual division foes and archrival St. Andrew’s, the Bruins also will play four private schools from the Jackson area: Canton Academy, Jackson Prep, Jackson Academy and Tri-County Academy.

The Bruins will play Canton Academy and Jackson Academy at home, and play Jackson Prep and Tri-County on the road.

St. Andrew’s also will be a road game for the second year in a row.

Photo by Bailey Miller /The Bear Facts “This year’s schedule will definitely be a challenge, but it will prepare us for district Quarterbacks Reed Collins, left, and Charlie Lott warm up for the Bruins’ annual midnight practice on Sunday, July 30, 2017, at Bill Raphael Field. and post-season play,” Collins said.

SPIKING THE ACTION

All home games at 7 p.m.

BRUIN VOLLEYBALL TAKES COURT

Swim hopes for another great year

By ANNA CHRIS NICHOLAS The Bear Facts

AUGUST SCHEDULE n AUG. 15: at Northwest Rankin, 4:30 p.m. n AUG. 17: Velma Jackson, 4:30 p.m. n AUG. 22: Pisgah, 4:30 p.m. n AUG. 24: Ridgeland, 5 p.m. n AUG. 29: Yazoo, 4 p.m. n AUG. 31: at Jackson Prep, 5 p.m.

BRUIN SWIMMERS MAKE SPLASH

Photo by Bailey Miller /The Bear Facts Bryce Bolden serves at a recent practice section for the Bruin volleyball team. The Bruins opened the season Tuesday with a road game at Jackson Academy.

New season, new team, same goal: Win St. Joe’s first state championship in volleyball Sports Analysis by Jack Clements

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fter falling short of a shot at the state title by just a few points, the St. Joe Bruin volleyball team is back and more determined than ever.

AUGUST-SEPTEMBER Finishing as district champions with a 17-15 record, the team’s season last year n AUG. 29: Germantown Meet, 5 p.m. at Cypress was deemed a big success.

Lake Having notched several big wins against n SEPT. 9: St. Al Invitational, 11 a.m. at the Vicksburg City teams from Madison Central, Ridgeland Pool and Germantown, the Bruins set the bar n SEPT. 18: St. Joseph Tri- Meet, 5 p.m. at Jackson high for years to come.

Yacht Club Rising sophomore Ellie Heilman said she n SEPT. 23: St. Joseph Invitational, all day, University was proud of the team’s accomplishments Wellness Center (formally the Lakeland Courthouse) last season as district champs and

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If we continue to stay focused and practice hard . . . we will be looking at another great season.”

–Ellie Heilman, a sophomore volleyball player

semifinalists in the 2016 season. And, she said, she is optimistic about the 2017 season.

“We’ve done very well in summer league play,” Heilman said. “If we continue to stay focused and practice hard, I believe we will be looking at another great season with our eyes set on the state championship.”

See VOLLEYBALL, Page 3

Swimmers ranging from the seventh through 12th grades are dozing on the bleachers trying to get as much rest as they can before practice starts.

The moment Coach Laurie Collins walks onto the pool deck, coffee in hand, she tells the swimmers to put on their caps and goggles, get in the pool, and warm-up.

Coach Collins has been part of the swim community for 50 years. She started coaching in Jackson in 1983. Today she coaches the St. Joseph Bruins LAURI and the summer league COLLINS team at the University Wellness Center.

St. Joe’s team has 63 swimmers this season. Many families are included in that number. The team does not hold try-outs; Coach Collins believes anyone should be able to join the team if they are dedicated.

Coach Collins helps train students who have little experience about the sport if they are willing to put forth REID the effort.

SMITH The St. Joe Swim Team goes to practice every morning at 5:30 at the Lakeland University Wellness Center. Coach Collins gives the team difficult practices in and out of the water.

After a difficult set, many swimmers are red in the face and try to cool off.

Collins usually congratulates them on how they did and lets them change for school.

After practice, the team parents give the swimmers fruit and breakfast to start the day. Upper classmen and parents take the younger swimmers to school. Parents play a major role in the season. They set up the meets at the Jackson Yacht Club and volunteer for other activities.

The team holds dual meets after See SWIM Page 3

Bruin football returns tonight – and all is right again in the world

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idnight. Sunday, July 30.

Bill Raphael Field. This was the moment we had been waiting for, nine months in the making.

We fell into a single-file line out of the field house. Even though it was midnight, the Mississippi summer heat and thick humidity was inescapable.

We walked in unison, not saying a word. As we made our way to the football field, a group of parents, students and others who came to watch let out a deafening sound.

A thin layer of dew covered the wet grass as we trotted onto the field. The bright stadium lights flooded the sky.

My mind quickly raced back to the last memory I had of being on the football field: the painful second round playoff loss to Bassfield High School JOE back in November.

PEARSON One week earlier we sports editor defeated Newton High School on the road that set up the game against Bassfield.

The loss the following week was a huge disappointment.

I still remember the words of firstyear Coach Todd Lott as he fought back tears during those last moments

of the 2016 season: “Seniors, I wish I had you for four years. But I love every one of you, and you have a special place in my heart.”

Now, nine months later, we were back at the same place laying the groundwork to avenge that painful memory. Coach Lott wasted no time in preparing us mentally for the Aug. 18 season-opener against Newton – a re-match of our first-round playoff victory against Newton High School “I read somewhere that Newton High School is supposed to blow us out this year,” Lott told us in our prepractice meeting. “No one is giving us a chance.”

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We’ve been working hard in the weight room ... now we get to get on the field and show everyone what we’re capable of doing.

– Cameron Watson, senior football player

This year, we are determined to prove everyone wrong. Being the underdog is not a new role for us at St. Joe. And if you ask me and some of the players, it’s a role we prefer.

We know we have a tough season this year with a schedule that includes private school powerhouses such as Jackson Prep and Jackson Academy.

In fact, during the course of this season, we will face two of the premier rushers in the Magnolia State: Don Ragsdale and Jerrion Ealy. But, if there was ever a team prepared for such a task, it is this team.

“We’ve been working hard in the See PEARSON COLUMN, Page 3