The Bear Facts March 2016 Edition

Wishing everyone a great Spring Break

Bear Facts the

THE ROAR SPORTS

VOLUME 19, NO. 4

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THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 2016

ST. JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL

New principal starts April 1

Doug Jones’ appointment ends Stamping out months-long nationwide search Jones comes from the Cathothe competition By NOAH AVERY GREENE Mr. lic Diocese of Ft. Worth, Texas, The Bear Facts

With the Bruin basketball team making it to the Elite Eight on Friday, players can look to Coach Nick Stamps as a key reason for the team’s success. Staff writer Christo Hicks takes a close look at Coach Stamps and the team.

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The Bruins have a new principal – and he officially takes office Friday, April 1. Douglas Jones was named by Bishop Joseph Kopacz as principal of St. Joe last month after an extensive, nationwide search.

where he served as associate superintendent. He is the former principal of Notre Dame High School in Wichita Falls, Texas. Prior to becoming an educator, Jones served in the U.S. Army for 11 years achieving the rank of major. Jones was deployed to

tours in Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Jones was stationed in Georgia and Germany with the military. Jones gradu- DOUG JONES ated from Grove City College in Pennsylvania. He received a bachelor’s degree in chemistry. He later earned a master’s in business administration from

Boston University. In a search for a new principal, the St. Joe search committee took into account several factors. “Some of the things that came up was Catholic identity, experience – particularly experience in Catholic education – a good communicator, and overall a leader for the school,” said Kristen Doherty a member of the principal search committee and president of the St. Joe Advisory Council.

Jones said he is excited about being at St. Joe. “I’m glad to be here,” Jones said in a interview with Bruin News Now. “We always want to look to be growing forward, trying to do something a little bit better everyday.” Students also are excited to finally have a new principal. “There is definitely going to be a new atmosphere around here which I am excited for,” said sophomore Grant Murphy.

Peavey sponsors a new Bruin sound Meridian-based company donates custom-made guitars to the St. Joe band, giving members a fresh sound for the ever-improving group

Sports, Page 10

CAMPUS

Celebrating

black history St. Joe students celebrated the contributions that African Americans have made to United States history. St. Joe students staged their annual Black History Month event on Monday. This year’s program featured African dancing, vocal artistry unique to African American society in the United States and speeches from key African American figures. The faculty sponsor was Ms. Crystal Thomas.

OPINION

Publishing’s

stiff challenge With new books being released almost daily and a seemingly endless growth of mass market publishing companies like Amazon, Jack Hall explores the intricacies of the publishing market. Hall explains where the market is, where it is headed and why it is headed in that direction. Opinion, Page 2

Hypocrisy of

age restrictions

Benjamin Payne discusses the conflict caused by setting age requirements in a society with arbitrary bench marks. Why is the legal drinking age 21 and not 25? Why is the legal age to buy tobacco products 18 and not 16? And what does it mean for us? Opinion, Page 2

Did you Know? The female pigeon cannot lay eggs if she is alone. In order for her ovaries to function, she must be able to see another pigeon.

Story by Jack Hall, Photos by Leila de Gruy

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eavey Electronics, a Meridian audio equipment manufacturing company, donated seven custom guitars to the St. Joe band last

month. This donation was composed of six Peavey Predator guitars and one bass guitar, all with the necessary accessories. The instruments will be used for routine Band practice as well as during football It is more along the games and pep rallies. St. Joseph, in fall lines of Peavey’s commitment 2015, also procured a state-of-the-art to education, not just about sound system from Peavey Electronics. product recognition.” This donation is a sign of Peavey’s commitment to Bruin Surge, an effort to – Ronnie Russell, St. Joe band director

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Celebrating the greatness of a Catholic education By CATHERINE COOK The Bear Facts

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An otter’s home is called a holt.

INSIDE n OPINION, 2-3 n NEWS, 1, 4, 5, 8 n ENTERTAINMENT, 6-7 n SPORTS, 9-10

TOP PHOTO: Bruin senior Tim Cook performs with new guitars Peavey Electronics of Meridian donated to the St. Joseph Catholic School band last month. St. Joe is one of the few schools in Jackson that have a guitar section as part of its marching band.

See PEAVEY, Page 5

All Catholic schools in the A numismatist studies and nation were looking forward to collects coins and medals. n n n

ABOVE PHOTO: New guitars Peavey Electronics of Meridian donated to the St. Joe Bruin band.

the first week of February when they celebrated Catholic Schools Week. “It is a time for not only our state, but for our nation to celebrate our Catholic education and our rich history,” said Assistant Principal Kristi Garrard. There is a set outline for Catholic Schools Week across the nation, but each school chose how to interpret it. The week started Sunday, Jan. 31. Students were encouraged to

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ishes and feeder schools. They did this as a kick-off to enrollIt is a time ... ment. Then came Monday, Feb. 1, for our nation to Faculty Appreciation Day. The celebrate Catholic school gathered in the auditorium to pray for teachers. education” Two special teachers were recognized at the assembly that – Kristi Garrard, morning for their years of work at St. Joe. Coach Dave Wissel St. Joe assistant and Suzi Broderick were called principal forth after Mrs. Garrard explained their history at St. Joe to the entire student body. attend church over that weekend. Next, Tuesday, Feb. 2, was the Staff photo/The Bear Facts St. Joe representatives went Senior Josh Clayton takes two shots from the free throw line during the to St. Francis of Assisi Catholic See CSW, Page 4 student teacher basketball game. Church to begin their tour of par-

Opinion

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Combating Islamic extremism

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an. 6 marked the one year anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo and nearby locations that included a Jewish supermarket. Shortly after the attack, I wrote a column discussing Islamic extremism and ways to NOAH combat it. I would like to revisit some of GREENE those concepts and offer more. editor When phrasing the debate on combating Islamic extremism, we frame the conversation through military force and neutralizing through weaponry. In this, however, we lose a holistic approach at combating Islamic extremism globally. Eradicating extremism requires two components: military force and assessing factors that lead to the adoption of radical ideology.

Defining extremism I define Islamic extremism this way: the adoption of Islamic beliefs based on a literal interpretation of the Koran and the Hadith that leads to advocating the implementation of these interpretations universally. Within this definition exists two groups: militant Islamic extremists and non-militant Islamic extremists. Militant extremists try to force their interpretations through militaristic and physically violent means as opposed to non-militant coordinators acting through vocal means and socially dangerous measures. In the context of the United States, both spheres of extremists are harmful to American ideology. The United States cannot continue effectively and justly in a realm that prescribes caliphate, female subjugation, a limitation on

outwards religious practices, an inhibition to public free speech, etc. On the base level, combating Islamic extremism requires us to assess the factors that lead to a person’s radicalization. These factors are a list of grievances. As Islamic terrorists recruit on a community and global level, they characterize grievances and complaints other Muslims in that community may have or should have and then, in essence, claim that to end or find justice for these grievances they must adopt an extremist ideology. This is where government and social movements become imperative because the grievances of these Muslims at risk of becoming extremist are either perceived real or are wholly accurate. If they are accurate, then a necessary policy or legislative action must occur. If the grievances are perceived, then the narrative in which we tell those at-risk Muslims must shift. Some in our country create a narrative that does not effectively speak to the Muslim community; they look at Muslims differently from others,

Physical aggression Assessing factors are a preventative measure meant to combat extremism. But this method alone is not tactical enough to eradicate Islamic extremist ideology. The second component takes a more physically aggressive approach. Last year, the United States began air strikes against ISIS, working with a 65-nation coalition. Air strikes act as the best physically tactical option destroying a threat without placing a greater burden to the 0.5 percent of Americans serving in the armed forces. Calling for ground troops when the issuing fight will not affect you is easy; the test is advocating for it when your life is at risk.

Big publishing faces stiff challenge

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ith more authors turning to

nontraditional means of publishing, should large publishing houses JACK worry? HALL According to The New editor York Times, between 2008 and 2010, e-book sales increased by 1,260 percent. In 2011, the national bookstore chain Borders declared bankruptcy. This great upheaval in e-book sales and lackadaisical performance in print sales have industry giants worried. While none of us are executives at major publishing corporations (at least I assume not), if these houses fall, we will all be affected.

Cumbersome bureaucracy An increasing number of authors are getting discouraged from submitting their book ideas and manuscripts to traditional publishing houses. The likelihood of getting a contract is low and the competitive nature is high – all while royalty rates remain abysmal. New authors are finding sanctuary with the likes of KDP or Kindle Direct Publishing. This way of publishing

one’s book finds fewer authors seeking the help of publishers, giving publishers less influence over the industry. Amazon’s e-books are typically priced at a pittance compared to print. In doing this, Amazon is selling these books at a loss with a purpose that is twofold. No. 1, a lower price gives consumers a better deal that hits the wallet less. No. 2, it decreases the public’s idea of the cost of a book, making it outrageous to purchase a new hardcover with a glossy dust jacket when you can download the e-book version for significantly less. As revenue increases in the e-book market, you can safely assume that this is coming directly out of revenue that would otherwise be spent on print. Again, this diversion and the lossleader business model is a threat to publishing houses. The public’s approval of e-books is obvious, but will it have enough impact on publishing houses to ruin them or make them follow the trend? To avoid the fate of Borders, publishers are quickly catching up with the e-book platform. You already can find more best sellers alongside indie novels on the online marketplaces as publishers realize the need for diversification. The DaVinci Institute has reported

that Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos has predicted that within the next year sales of e-books will outpace those of paperbacks (510 million units were sold of e-books, whereas nearly 560 million units of paperbacks were sold). The same article shows that due to the increasing competitiveness of the business, the average e-reading device cost could drop to around $20 – which is expected to greatly increase availability to this technology. In 2008, Amazon controlled about 85 percent of the market in terms of the e-book. This exclusivity likely hampered efforts to make it a more innovative and inexpensive market. However, big retailers such as Apple, Google, and Barnes & Noble have since decreased Amazon’s grip on the market.

Facing a new reality Book publishing houses will be forced to make a decision: they will either keep up with industry practices of the past century, or they can revise their strategies, implementing new ways of reaching readers through print while they integrate their novels to the e-book marketplace. To all the publishers out there: The times they are a-changing.

Voter apathy plagues United States elections

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he total percent of eligible voters who bothered to vote in the 2014 midterm elections was 36.4 percent – you know, that STRATON annoyingly insignificant GARRARD political contest that opinion editor decides who will run Congress and govern states for the next few years. That may not exactly be a pressing issue, I know. But it is a little disheartening that numbers this abysmal haven’t reared their ugly heads in about 72 years. That’s right. Americans weren’t this disinterested in politics since WWII gave people something that was legitimately more pressing than deciding which congressman was going to keep farm subsidies going in the Delta. Citizens of America – really? We literally only have four responsibilities as citizens, and one fourth of that is voting. It is, by far, the simplest task to accomplish. You don’t even need to understand politics (which is another of those four responsibilities, by the way). All the voting-eligible resident has to do is insert an access card the poll workers give you ( so you don’t have to waste your brain cells having to remember to bring one yourself ) into the ballot box, press a few funnylooking spheres on a touch-screen, return the access card, and you are

finished. The act of voting could not be any simpler. In fact, the only thing easier than voting is not to vote. If you can’t do this much for your country, I feel sorry for you. To quote a great president, John Fitzgerald Kennedy, who is remembered as a proponent for citizen involvement: “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.” Kennedy believed that the United States of America would be a nation of competent, informed and patriotic citizens able and willing to come together and choose, in a rational and intelligent manner, who would represent them in their government. If the statistics I have shown are indicative of anything, it is that we have failed to live up to that ideal. My point is this: I can’t understand how 75 percent of Americans are dissatisfied with how our country is being run ( according to a year-end CNN/ORC poll ) if those same people refuse to leave their homes for 10 minutes to do an incredibly simple action that could correct the problem. Nearly eight out of 10 Americans won’t even volunteer to hold a sign on Election Day. It’s an affront to every democratic ideal we all should hold dear to us, and would have surely been met with scathing condemnation from our Founding Fathers if they could witness such abhorrent apathy. To me, this is further proof our nation

BEAR FACTS The

Noah Greene l Jack Hall Editors

Benjamin Payne Managing Editor Terry R. Cassreino, Faculty Adviser Catherine Cook, Principal

suffers from an existential problem: our capacity as citizens of a nation as great as the one in which we live to not put forth any effort in how it is run – especially when we have the freedom and intellectual capacity to do so. As former President Theodore Roosevelt so aptly phrased it: “The first requisite of a good citizen in our republic is that he should be able and willing to pull his weight.” And that means participating in civic life. If you truly don’t understand what civic life is or are ignorant of the responsibilities all citizens must fulfill in order for the United States of America to be a free and just democratic republic, I will take this time to spell it out for you. You have, as I’ve said before, four responsibilities. Those responsibilities are voting in elections and referendums; volunteering for elections, community events or at polls in elections years; participating in civic life by going to town halls or other available municipal meetings that are in place to get involved; and understanding the current political environment by reading a newspaper. So, if you and/or your parents have expressed dissatisfaction with how our government is run or turn to criticizing the mavericks who try to improve it, I leave you both with this important question: “What have you done to change America for the better?”

THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 2016

Our view

Welcome to St. Joe, Mr. Jones

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t. Joe has a new principal. Mr. Doug Jones accepted the position of principal at St. Joseph Catholic School last month. He starts Friday, April 1. We at The Bear Facts welcome Mr. Jones to campus. We believe he will find our student body an ambitious, highly motivated group of students ready to face all challenges of life. We believe he will find our campus to be a nice, welcoming community of students, parents, faculty and staff. Mr. Jones’ selection as principal came after a lengthy, in-depth search. Based on his background as a Catholic educator and military veteran, we believe Mr. Jones will be someone who can unite our campus and make it even better than it is today. During a recent visit to look for housing, Mr. Jones visited with staff members of this newspaper and Bruin News Now. As principal, he said, “we always want to look to be growing forward, trying to do everything we do better.” “And, of course, always glorifying the Lord.” Amen.

Honoring Justice Antonin Scalia

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oday we stand as a nation with one less principled man and husband, a proud American and committed U.S. Supreme Court justice who served and discerned with stalwart conviction and intelligent wit. Justice Antonin Scalia, our first Italian-American Supreme Court Justice as well as its longest serving, was first and foremost a loving husband and father to nine children, a devout Roman Catholic and a firm advocate of historic discernment. Antonin Scalia advocated for a strict interpretation of the U.S. Constitution as it was intended to mean when it was written and based his judgments upon that principle. Time and again, he was noted for his support for the 2nd Amendment. He also was noted for his disagreement with his colleagues on whether the Supreme Court should decide the path of the nation in regards to many other issues not explicitly stated in the Constitution – including to allow same-sex marriage. Said Scalia: “To allow the policy question of same-sex marriage to be considered and resolved by a select, patrician, highly unrepresentative panel of nine is to violate a principle even more fundamental than no taxation without representation: no social transformation without representation.” Beyond his most noted dissents, Justice Scalia created within the highest court in the land a sense of respectful disagreement – saying that he despised the ideas, not the people who professed them. Such congeniality is most indicative in his relationship with his fellow justices, especially Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg – who was ideologically a polar opposite of Justice Scalia and was nevertheless a fast friend of his. The life of this giant of a judge cannot be brought to justice within such an unworthy method as language; against his record, mere words fall short of the reality that his presence represented for us all. Many will mourn his passing, remembering fondly his wit and intelligence. However, if the words and actions of the man are to be considered, his response would likely emulate this quote by him: “Get over it.”

The Bear Facts, the official student newspaper of St. Joseph Catholic School, is published at least once each quarter of the school year. This newspaper is devoted to the interests of the student body, faculty, parents, alumni and community of St. Joseph. This paper’s purpose is to reflect the spirit of St. Joseph Catholic School, keep the school community informed and help promote the school’s Christian values. All stories and photographs are copyright © 2015 by The Bear Facts and St. Joseph Catholic School. Reproduction and unauthorized use of any article, photograph or graphic in this newspaper is prohibited without explicit written consent in advance. Contact The Bear Facts, P.O. Box 2027, Madison, MS 39130-2927.

Unless otherwise noted, 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. If you disagree with any columnists’ opinions or want to share your own views, we invite you to submit a letter to the editor. Letters should be no more than 300 words. The Bear Facts reserves the right to edit letters for clarity. Send your letter by email to thebearfacts@stjoebruins.com. Or mail them to: Letters to the Editor, The Bear Facts, P.O. Box 2027, Madison, MS 39130-2927

THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 2016

Opinion

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The hypocrisy of age restrictions in the U.S.

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o you want to know what really upsets me? The inconsistency of age requirements in this country. One day you can’t vote or sky dive or buy tobacco. But the next day – guess what? – you can. Our nation is plagued by one of the most prevalent BENJAMIN hypocrisies that creates a basic structure in society PAYNE managing in which we are taught that one day we do not editor contain the appropriate maturity to make decisions like purchase alcohol, but the next day we can. Why is this? To understand our culture, we first must take a look at society itself. There has always been a need to establish an age of reason to help govern our ability to make decisions. If we did not have certain parameters of when we are eligible to do something, we could end up with a 10-year-old leader like the Egyptians and King Tut. In respect to voting, the almost universal age is 18. This is widely accepted due to the opinion that individuals at this age can research and form their own opinion on behalf of what is best in a leader and what the best course of action is for local issues. Granted, we do need a specific age to vote. We also have to see that it’s about informing people so they are able to make the best

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We also have to see that it’s about informing people so they are able to make the best choice.”

choice instead of basing their eligibility on age. Likewise, if we set age limits at a point that contradicts other values, then we are faced with the problems the United States dealt with when the age for the draft bucked with the age to drink in the 1960s and 1970s.

Comparing other countries If we look at how other countries handle this debate, we see an interesting difference. In almost all European countries, there is a very vague point where drinking is legal vs. illegal. This is because most governments allow the parents to decide what is the appropriate age. Only 11 countries, including the United States, have a set drinking age at 21. But does this work? In the United States, one out of every four underage individuals consumes alcohol. About 80 percent of people who smoke started before their 18th birthday. However, the number of people who smoke in the United States, has dropped rapidly. Why is this? It’s simple. We, as a society, saw the harm tobacco does and began a national campaign to educate students and adults alike on the dangers of smoking. We didn’t raise the age to purchase tobacco or add a new threat. This is a small sign that the age doesn’t stop underage activities. Education does. The same can be said for alcohol. It’s not the age that is saving kids from making poor choices, but the effect that parents and other influences can have – which is a key factor in this debate.

Re-evaluating our approach If you take one look at anyone who is able to purchase alcohol, you can clearly see from the decisions they are making that age isn’t bringing anymore reason to the table. For any activity that deals with an age requirement, we need to re-evaluate how we

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Only 11 countries, including the United States, have a set drinking age at 21.”

decide our confines and instead of change the age, change how we approach the subject altogether. Originally, the only way to vote in the United States was to be a white land owner. It was believed this class of individuals had the knowledge to make decisions that would affect the majority. Things gradually changed, and it was decided that these confines were an inadequate way to restrict voting rights. The 26th Amendment to the United States Constitution prohibited the states and the federal government from using age as a reason for denying the right to vote to citizens of the United States who are at least 18 years old. The drive to lower the voting age from 21 to 18 grew across the country during the 1960s, driven in large part by the broader student activism movement protesting the Vietnam War. This, like many other issues, slowly changed society’s perception on age requirements due to a clear sign that confines based on age simply can’t apply to our rapidly evolving population. Mankind has become so complex that a “one-size-fits-all” solution is no longer an acceptable way to handle issues. Ultimately, we must enter a more progressive state of mind and accept the responsibility to be the generation that changes how we govern ourselves to ensure a more equal lifestyle for the citizens of the United States. We must also realize that education is a much more effective way to ensure that our youth make the right decisions and follow the example of the European cultural restrictions.

Letters to the editor

Congratulations, Eric; Choosing the right good luck at Delta State principal for St. Joe Editor: We think that the new principal should be someone who is involved with the school and with the students. He needs to be Catholic. If it’s a Catholic school, there should be a Catholic principal. The students want someone who is involved with us and takes time to get to know us. As St. Joe students, we think that our principal should be a very well-rounded spiritual person who can help us grow in our faith and become more involved with our church and community. Also, we think we should add more electives, such as photography, dance, home ec, art history, mythology, philosophy, sports medicine, etc. We should also add on to our sports teams. We should add wrestling, lacrosse, diving, field hockey, archery, maybe even water polo. Photo by Alaina Liess/The Bear Facts We should expand our campus (add a track, a pool, etc). All-inSenior Eric Diamond on National Signing Day. all, the new principal should be someone who expands the school community – not only that could benefit the students and staff, but Editor: would also make many people want to send their children to St. Joe. The other day, St. Joseph’s very own Eric Diamond signed his letter of intent to play college football at Delta State University. This was a great accomplishment not only for Eric but for the coaches as well. Eric is the first player in two years to leave St. Joseph and pursue the dream of being a college football player. Eric was by far one of the best players on the football team this year. He is a Jack-of-all-trades when it comes to playing any sport. Eric not only handled all of our special teams, but was also one of our leaders on offense and defense. Playing Rover on defense, one of the most difficult positions in the game, he excelled in reading the offense and busting through blocks to make many of our tackles. Eric is different from anyone else I’ve ever played with. From kicking 60-yard bombs to running people over, he could do anything and everything you asked him to do. He was by far one of the best players on offense. Eric ran the ball so tough and never stopped chopping his feet. Many times he was stacked up at the line but because he chopped his feet he would gain twice as many yards. Heck, during practice he was a booger to tackle. Eric never gave up. Many of the games he may have been injured, but stuck it out for his teammates because he didn’t play for himself. He loved every single one of us and was a leader of the team. I’m so glad that he has this chance to play at the next level because he deserves it. I’m so glad I had this chance to play with Eric. He will go down as one the best St. Joe football players of all time in my opinion. -John Turner 11th Grade

Name a school building or buildings after supporters Editor: Most schools have their buildings named after someone who devoted most of their lives to the school. It’s a way of honoring that person who gave so much to make that school better. We could name the administration building after the Sisters of Mercy, the founders of St. Joseph Catholic School. We could name a building after Tom Gerrets. Mr. Gerrets contributed to St. Joe in a TOM GERRETS major way. He was from Louisiana. He wasn’t an alumnus and neither are any of his children. But he went out of his way as much as he could to help St. Joe. We should pay our respects to Mr. Gerrets by naming a building after him. Mr. Gerrets contributed to the Fine Arts Building as well as our school’s new chapel. He was able to come see the chapel finished a week before he died. This shows how much he cared about St. Joseph. We should dedicate one building in honor of Mr. Gerrets. –­ Sales deLaBarre 10th Grade

several of our starters out. We were up the majority of the game, but right at the end they scored and ended up winning the game. We also had to play Sacred Heart in the playoffs. We hung in there most of the game, but again they scored toward the end and won the game. We could look at this in a negative way, but this year gave our younger players a chance to get better. Next year we will come out and try to win our title back as state champs. -Pera Massey 11th Grade

Expecting great things for Bruin baseball 2016

–­ Olivia Patterson, Emily Hinds, Helen Mary Katool 10th Grade EDITORS’S NOTE: Mr. Doug Jones, a veteran Catholic educator, has been named principal and starts April 1. Please see story on Page 1 of this newspaper.

Making it easier to use school vending machines Editor: We would like to talk about the subject of vending machines. Every day people at St. Joseph would like to buy a drink or a snack from the machines. But all of the vending machines that dispense drinks require exact change. And the exact change it requires is extremely difficult to obtain. All we ask is to lower the prices to a more reasonable price, preferably factors of 25. To get to the prices now we must have dimes and nickels, which aren’t as common as quarters. Multiple times after practice or a long day, I walk to the vending machine to buy a drink. And when I get there, I am never able to buy a drink because I do not have the exact change. If the school were to lower the prices to a factor of 25, then students could buy drinks more easily. – Jack LeDoux 10th Grade

Women’s soccer looks forward to next season Editor:

This soccer season didn’t go very well. We went into the season very positive. We expected to keep our title as state champs. Unfortunately, not very far into the season most of our team got hurt. We had to play our rival, St. Andrew’s, with

File Photo/The Bear Facts Lady Bruins celebrate state championship in girls soccer in 2015.

File Photo/The Bear Facts Russell Patterson at bat for the Bruins during the 2015 baseball season.

Editor: This is a very exciting time of the year for all the baseball players. The baseball team is looking forward to one of their best seasons yet under head coach Gerard McCall. The baseball team will play big powerhouse teams such as Madison Central, Clinton, Ridgeland, Jackson Prep, and many more. It will be a fun season, and the Bruins will be returning everyone except two starting seniors. The team is looking forward to winning it all this year after being knocked out by Taylorsville in the third round last year. The team is gearing up right now for the season by practicing for two or more hours everyday. This season will be a great one and it will end up with the bruin baseball team on top. At the end of the season, we hope to see everyone at Trustmark Park for the state championship and hopefully everyone will be there to see us win and us in a dog pile at the end of this year. Hope to see everyone out at the ballpark this year to watch a great season! – Michael Buck 11th Grade

We welcome your letters The Bear Facts wants to know what you think about issues on campus, in our community, in our state and across the nation. Please submit your letters to the editor electronically to this email address: thebearfacts@ stjoebruins.com. You can attach your letter as a Word document. Or if you don’t have Word, type your letter in the body of the email message. Please keep your letters to a maximum of 300 words. Please include contact information, including your email address or phone number, so The Bear Facts can contact you to verify your letter. Please remember: The staff of The Bear Facts retains the right to edit your letter for length and clarity.

Bruin News

PAGE 4

THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 2016

‘Seussical the Musical’ comes to St. Joseph By MAKENNA SCHISLER The Bear Facts

This year’s spring musical at St. Joe is “Seussical the Musical.” When asked about why “Seussical” was chosen this year, Ms. Leslie Harkins, the drama teacher, said “Seussical” is very different than the other shows done in the past. She said that they have stuck to the

helps with the cost. Many people are involved in the process of putting this play together. She also said that none of this would be possible without the kids that participate in it. There’s so much more going on back stage as well. They have a prop master who helps them out in every show, Dana Martin. She helps along with their stage manager. They help get everyone on stage with the right costume, props and at the right time. If there’s ever a catastrophe or if something spilled or broken, they’re there to clean it up. When asked about the cast Ms. Harkins said: “They are tiring sometimes, but I love everyone that I have encountered at St. Joe. All of the students are great.” “They all have wonderful personalities and are so different and unique to each other that it makes a show like this so much more fun and just a great atmosphere to work in.” When asked on why she auditioned for the play, Alice McPhail, said: “I have always wanted to participate in the spring musical. I have been in ‘Seussical’ before. It was a great experience

more classic musicals and she wanted to do something different. She also said she chose it because it was fun, exciting and inclusive of all ages. When asked about what goes in to putting a play together, she said: “I direct, which includes the blocking, which is where the actors move on stage, and the choreography if there is any dancing. Mrs. Molly Windham, the choir teacher,

does the music and Mr. Ronnie Russell does the orchestration for the pit. We try to incorporate all the other Fine Arts teachers so it can really be a whole school event.” Ms. Harkins also has a lot of help from the parents who create and build the sets. They also help with making the programs, the posters and getting the word out and of course the front office

to send their children to St. Joe. Wednesday, Feb. 3, was a day of nationwide appreciation of Catholic schools. St. Joe students wore colors of their parents’ school if their parents attended a Catholic school. On Thursday, Feb. 4, Catholic schools celebrated vocations and service to the Catholic Church and school. Students and faculty were greeted with a video message from the Rev. Matthew Simmons and a visit from St. Joe alumnus the Rev. Scott Thomas. The priests spoke about how St. Joe inspired their vocation to the religious life. Student Appreciation Day was Friday, Feb. 5. Students enjoyed Chickfil-A breakfast and a student-faculty basketball game. The swim team was recognized for its success in the water last fall. Madison County Judge Will Longwitz congratulated the girls swim team on their first place title. All the girls

were called forward to shake Judge Longwitz’s hand. After the recognition of the swim team, the student-faculty basketball game began. A select team of teachers played against a group of seniors. The students won. For seniors, Catholic Schools Week was a highlight of their last semester at St. Joe. “I hope it brings in some peace, that as they go off on their new adventure, they’re always going to have St. Joe, their faith, and their families to come back to,” Mrs. Garrard said. Most of the seniors have gone through Catholic Schools Week since they were 6, so each year schools try to add something new to amp it up. “For one I got a great education,” Brantley Bariloa said. “It also gave me the Catholic backbone to help me defend my faith and show my faith throughout Special to The Bear Facts my life in the real world.” Mr. Matthew Hosler prepares to lead the faculty team in the student-faculty basketball

which made me want to do it again.” McPhail has been in three shows at St. Joe. She has also been in four musicals at New Stage and several others with her acting troupe. This is McPhail’s first time in a lead role, and she said her past experiences have helped her improve her acting skills. Hannah Dear will be Jojo in the upcoming play, one of the key characters. She has worked hard, studying up on her part by watching videos and practicing different approaches to perform her character. The play rehearsals started on Jan. 11. The cast rehearses on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30 to 6:30. Show times are Thursday, April 7, at 7 p.m.; Friday, April 8 at 7 p.m.; and two shows April 9 at 2 p.m. and another at 7 p.m. From the looks so far, this year’s play is shaping up to be the most successful and possibly also bring in the largest crowd to date, so get ready for the musical experience of the year.

CSW, from page 1

“

I hope it brings in some peace, that as they go off on their new adventure, they’re always going to have St. Joe, their faith, and their families to come back to.” – Kristi Garrard, St. Joe assistant principal

day of community appreciation. Students gathered in the auditorium for Mass with Bishop Joseph Kopacz. The school recognized how big a part parents play in making such a big sacrifice

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game that capped a week events for Catholic Schools Week.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 2016

Eliza Strickland makes a difference By NOAH AVERY GREENE The Bear Facts

Prior to her Christmas vacation, senior Eliza Strickland received a text message from her friend Elliot Allen inviting her on a mission trip to Mexico. Excited and feeling the call from Jesus, she agreed. While other St. Joe students relaxed during Christmas break, Strickland followed another course of action. On Dec. 18, 2015, at midnight, Strickland boarded a bus with other youth from Fondren Church – a non-denomination Christian church in Fondren. The bus drove through Texas and straight for the Mexican-American border. Crossing over into Matamoros, Mexico, and only a few miles from the border, Strickland and her young mates arrived at a home to more than 200 orphans. Ranging from natal care to 18 year old, the orphanage supports students past their classification as adults – allowing them to remain at the home. The kids drew Strickland in with a joyful attitude and upbeat spirit; children who had been abused and neglect-

“

It was really cool to all hang out with them and they were all so happy.” – Eliza Strickland, a senior

ed showed an optimistic love. “All of the kids were from really bad situations,” Strickland said. “It was really cool to all hang out with them, and they were all so happy.” The students knew little Spanish, yet seemed to make a connection with the Mexican children. As Strickland recounts, the first song sung during the Sunday church service was the popular Alternative Christian song by Chris Tomlin “How Great Is Our God? “That was probably one of the coolest parts of it,” she said.

This, too, resonated with another one of Strickland’s mission trip mates, Meredith Tyre. The Madison Central student and member of Fondren Church had little knowledge of the Spanish language, but in that moment it didn’t matter. While at the orphanage, the group enjoyed the company of the children as well as improving the structure. For the men, this job involved pouring concrete; for the women, painting. The director of the orphanage has a story to tell. Himself a former child at the same center, he decided to give his time to the home which had cared for him so dearly. As a result of the trip, Strickland only has a taste for more. She plans to go to Honduras in the near future. Many St. Joe students have answered the call to venture out and aid those in need, like seniors Hope Engle and Genin Harkey with their summer trip to Nicaragua. St. Joe looks forward to sending many students during Spring Break to work with similar groups and continue the trend of working with those in need.

Photo Special to The Bear Facts Senior Eliza Strickland with a young girl from Matamoras, Mexico.

Keeping up with St. Joe alumna Anna Edge

By ISABEL HEBERT The Bear Facts Many students graduate from St. Joseph and go on to great success, but 2014 graduate Anna Edge is proving it can be done in the very difficult field of chemical engineering. Edge attends Mississippi State University and currently has the highest grade point average in chemical engineering in her class. Edge is doing well at MSU and says her years at St. Joe prepared her for college. “St. Joe has prepared me extremely well,” Edge said. “I learned to study and had great teachANNA EDGE ers who invested so much time and wisdom into their students. St. Joe has taught me how to practice and grow in faith outside of the classroom.” Edge said: “Thanks to countless prayers, hard work and coffee I have been able to keep all ‘A’s.’”

“

I learned to study and had great teachers who invested so much time and wisdom into their students. St. Joe has taught me how to practice and grow in faith outside of the classroom.” – Anna Edge, St. Joe alumni

Edge enjoys chemical engineering, which is the study of how to produce chemicals for human use. Chemical engineers design processes to produce chemicals in large quantities. They design processes for the production of chemicals like floor cleaners, fertilizer, refrigeration and medications.

Edge’s studies are different from what she did at St. Joe. For example, last semester she took Mass and Energy Balances and Fluid Flow. “Mass and Energy Balances has to do with chemicals going into a multiprocess system and reacting with other chemicals to produce the desired product,” she said. “Fluid Flow has to do with how different fluids require different amounts of energy to flow through various pipes.” She is happy she chose MSU. “I love MSU,” she said. “Everyone shares the common goal of succeeding as a university. The teachers genuinely want you to do well and enjoy their classes.” MSU has outstanding resources and help for students who want to be chemical engineers. Edge said “the teachers encourage the students to visit them during office hours.” At MSU, companies come and talk to students about future jobs. Edge said, “Multiple times in a semester, we have companies come and talk to us about different job options in engineering. You have the opportunity to meet with the engineering career center one on one

starting freshman year, where they help you with your resume and show you how to apply for internships, co-ops, and jobs after college.” A few months ago, Edge was offered a co-op with a company that she is interested in working for after college. She said that “a co-op is where you work for three semesters at the company’s different locations.” Edge is going to work this summer and alternate between working and going to school. She said: “I’m not entirely sure what specific field in my major I want to go into, so working at different plants within the company will help me find my interests.” Besides going to MSU, Edge is involved with different organizations. She is a member of Chi Omega Sorority, American Institute of Chemical Engineers, and Catholic Campus Ministries. Edge has one piece of advice for St. Joe students. “St. Joe has given so much to me, and I am so thankful to be called a Bruin graduate,” she said. “Study hard and take advantage of the awesome teachers and opportunities you have here. I truly cannot express my love for St. Joe.”

BruinTHON ready for the main event in May By PETRA RIVERA The Bear Facts

St. Joseph Catholic School is the only high school in the state of Mississippi that hosts a dance marathon. “Batson Children’s Hospital is such a great place. They deserve any money we can give them,” said senior Maddy Davis, the director of BruinTHON. For the past five years, St. Joe has held BruinTHON – an eight-hour event where students stay on their feet through dancing, walking and playing games to raise money for Blair E. Batson Hospital for Children. In preparation for the event, the BruinTHON committee has hosted events throughout the year. Among these are a BruinTHON breakfast before school once during third quarter and once during fourth quarter. BruinTHON will sell breakfast items in the cafeteria from 7:15 to 7:45. Dates are to be determined. A basketball tournament is set for Friday, March 18,

and a Powderpuff Football Tournament in April. The actual dance marathon event is set for April 29. The events lend opportunities for students to help young children and their families. “People can get involved by signing up for our BruinTHON and raising lots of money for the event,” Davis said. “They can also participate in our fundraisers which are going be a lot of fun.” This year, the theme is “Clash of the Classes.” “It’s going to have lots of fun activities that involve contests between the classes,” Davis said. “So, if you believe your class is the best class at St. Joe; you better be there to back up your claim.” “I think BruinTHON is a great way to bring people closer together and to show them team work,” said freshman Brennan Teeter, who is also on the BruinTHON committee. “I feel like people will enjoy it and are hopefully knowing they are doing a good deed.” People can sign up to participate in

Photo special to The Bear Facts Members of last year’s BruinTHON team at the end of their successful event.

the event by picking up a pledge form from the service board across from Mrs. Banks’ office in the administration building. Fill out the information and pledge to raise $75 for Batson by the event. Pledge forms must be signed and turned in no later than April 8.

BruinTHON is a fun way to get eight service hours and feel good about doing something for others and will be around for a long time. “Ultimately we are doing this for the kids,” Davis said.

eties: The National Honor Society, the National English Honor Society, the National Junior Classical League, the Spanish National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta and Quill and Scroll. For some St. Joe seniors, being part of several honor societies is a great privilege. “I am a member of five honor societies, a privilege which I would not have at many other schools,” said Benjamin Payne a senior and member of every St. Joe honor society except for the Junior Classical League. Payne also holds the record at St. Joe

for being in more honor societies than any other student or alumnus. The honors assembly has become a major part of the St. Joe year due to the addition of the jazz band and the commanding presence and support from parents who fill the auditorium with pride for their students’ achievements. Assemblies like these help to set the example for younger students and also highlight some of the hard work that is custom to all students here and continue the tradition of excellence that St. Joe holds.

St. Joe inducts new members in honor societies By NOAH AVERY GREENE The Bear Facts Success is rewarded to St. Joe students who show excellence and promise. On Wednesday, Feb. 17, the annual national honors society inductions were held in the St. Joe Fine Arts Theatre. Fifty-three students were inducted into the various honor societies. The most recent addition to the list of St. Joe honor society is Quill and Scroll International Honorary Society for High School Journalists, that was founded at the University of Iowa by George Gal-

lup. The organization seeks to adopt students who have earned journalist excellence and talent. Mr. Terry R. Cassreino, the St. Joe journalism teacher and Quill and Scroll sponsor, said this is part of the reason why the honor society was brought to the school. “Journalism students at St. Joseph will now have the opportunity to become a member of an organization which will give even more notoriety to their talents,” he said. With the addition of the journalism honor society, St. Joseph has six soci-

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PEAVEY, from page 1 bring excitement and fanfare to campus during events. These guitars were presented to St. Joseph guitarists on Feb. 11, 2016. Those present included a representative from Peavey, Principal Cathy Cook, Assistant Principal Kristi Garrard, Athletic Director Miller Todd and band members. Peavey is committed to sharing the gift of music as an educational tool in schools across the company’s home state. Paul Kitterman, industrial design manager at Peavey Electronics, said, “We hope that kids in Mississippi get interested in music education and follow their dreams of either becoming musicians or working in the music industry.” As to why Peavey became interested in St. Joe, Mr. Kitterman said the company was “contacted by the Frascogna family, and we were interested right off the bat. Anytime we get contacted from a school or an alumnus to get involved with a project, we’re glad to come out and be of help.” This is the first time a corporate entity has made a donation to the band. Ronnie Russell, the band director, sees this contribution as a testament to the band’s notoriety and general excellence. “I think this speaks volumes,” he said. “When we first played the guitars I think it sounded great. I don’t think any electronics company would want their brand to be featured with an average or non-interesting group. They see we’re a good fit for their brand.” The guitars are imprinted with Bruin symbols denoting them as school-spirit stylized instruments. “It’s intentional,” Mr. Russell said. “This is part of the visibility of our school, their brand and ours together.” This is not simply about branding, he said. “It is more along the lines of Peavey’s commitment to education, not just about product recognition,” Mr. Russell said. Students in the St. Joe band are excited by the donation. Senior guitar player Zach Davis said that “this is kind of a hallmark of St. Joe’s uniqueness. You wouldn’t be able to get any kind of quality guitar, any instrument like this at any other school at such a personal level. It will provide a more robust sense to the guitar section.” Davis is not a newcomer to Peavey’s extensive line. He uses a Peavey amplifier and plans to keep it around with his new Bruin Peavey guitar. As the St. Joe band pushes toward its 13th year under Russell, the talented group of musicians is poised to reach new heights with an influx of custom guitars.

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Entertainment

THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 2016

Hannah Dear: A regular, part-time rock star

have you been playing guitar? Dear: I’ve been playing for two years now with the Fondren Hannah Dear, an eighth grader Guitars rock band and in the St. at St. Joe, is a part-time student, Joe band. My first teacher was my dad, though, and we still part-time musician/rock star. have jam sessions downstairs She is part of the volleyball with my brother Daniel. team and school band, as well The Bear Facts: How long as participates in both the spring have you been singing? musical and fall play. Dear: I’ve never taken any Outside of school, she is formal lessons or anything, but part of the Mississippi Music I’ve been singing probably since Group where she sings classic the first grade. I’m also part of rock alongside other talented a vocal group called Legacy at musicians. She has preformed Duet Actors Playhouse, where at Duling Hall and the Fondren we try to learn how to write Guitar Center. music. It’s a small group I Last week, The Bear Facts auditioned for, and right now it’s caught up with her for this all girls. It is a lot of fun and a interview. good way to start out. The Bear Facts: How The Bear Facts: Do you like did you get involved with to sing or play guitar more? performance in the first place? Dear: I like them both, but I Hannah Dear: My brother feel like I’m better at singing as Daniel took drum lessons with of right now because you don’t the Mississippi Music Group. have to practice as much. I like And I got involved because his Legacy more because it is more drum teacher, Mr. Bill, heard official, and it’s all girls. But the gigs I had done with another selection of music at MS Music band and asked me if I wanted to is a lot more fun to sing. sing with them. The Bear Facts: What The Bear Facts: How long is your favorite part of By BENJAMIN PAYNE The Bear Facts

performing? Dear: I like being the center of attention and being in front of people. The Bear Facts: What was your last performance? Dear: Mississippi Music Group put on a performance centered around different drum symposiums for tributes to different drummers, and this time they couldn’t choose one drummer so they decided to do arena rock. The Bear Facts: Do you have a favorite song or genre you like to play? Dear: I like to play “Stairway to Heaven.” My two favorite songs I’ve gotten to sing were “Back in Black” and “2112 Overture: The Temples of Syrinx.” But I also really like singing backup vocals. I also like songs that are easier for me to sing because I can both play the guitar and sing. But I would say I’m most comfortable with arena rock. The Bear Facts: What are some of the performances you’ve been in so far? Dear: During Hall was the

Photo by Leila deGruy/The Bear Facts Hannah Dear jams out with her guitar during “25 or 6 to 4” by Chicago in band class.

biggest venue I’ve ever been in since it is a National Venue. But I started at Fondren Guitars, and we’ve done a couple of gigs before that. The Bear Facts: Do you

have any plans for your future career? Dear: I definitely want to be involved with music for the rest of high school, and I’d like to minor in musical theater if I can.

I don’t want to take it too far, maybe just some community theaters, and stuff like that. But I definitely want to keep it as a hobby because its something fun to do.

‘The Revenant’: A look into contemplative chaos By STRATON GARRARD The Bear Facts

REVIEW

Raw. That word, and all that is associated with it, is all that I can say about the emotional tidal wave that is “The Revenant” that will ever truly give it justice. Every moment of this film, from its visceral opening scene to its stark ending, exudes an unadulterated rawness that drew me deeply into the story of Hugh Glass, a Wyoming mountain man who survived a bear-mauling and, after watching his son die, sets out on an epic journey to find the men who killed his son and left him to die. The story, based on a novel by Michael Punke, which in turn

is based on a true story, centers around Hugh Glass, played by Oscar winner Leonardo DiCaprio, who is hired as a scout and hunter for a U.S. military expedition led by Andrew Henry, played by Domhnall Gleeson, to establish a fur-trapping base in Wyoming. Glass and his son, Hawk (played by Forrest Goodluck) are seen stalking, and killing, a lone elk in the opening scene. Suddenly, a sizeable party of Ree Indians attacks the fur trapping group Glass is attacked too. Glass and his son return and join the fur trappers in their escape.

Glass leads the vastly diminished fur trapping group through treacherous mountain paths in a bid to distance themselves from the danger that was the Ree. Along this journey, Glass comes across two bear cubs and their mother. I don’t think I need to tell you what happened next. Seeing that it would be virtually impossible for the group to both carry Glass and make it back to their encampment in a relatively safe manner, Henry opts to leave the apparently dying Glass and his son Hawk behind with two others, Jim Bridger (Will Poulter) and John Fitzgerald (Tom Hardy), who are promised additional pay if they wait to see if Glass’s condition improves

or if he dies, in which case they are ordered to give him a proper Christian burial. To make a long story short, Fitzgerald kills Glass’s son, tricks Bridger into leaving Glass for dead, and they both trek back to the fur trapper’s encampment to collect their bonus pay. Glass, miraculously, manages to crawl through rough land and Ree hunting parties to return to the encampment, where he and Henry leave once more to hunt down Fitzgerald, who kills Henry and is nearly stabbed to death by Glass, who chose instead to leave Fitzgerald’s death up to God by throwing him in a river into the loving arms of the nearby Ree, who promptly kill Fitzgerald and

allow his carcass to sink into the river. Every moment of this film is filled with suspense, emotion, and gravitas which exemplifies

the image of the last frontier that can only be summed up as a raw chaos that truly makes us all contemplate our own lives.

Entertainment

THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 2016

PAGE 7

The future, now: The rise of hoverboards

G

etting up from your couch and walking down the street is hard work. Tired of having to walk to the grocery store? Too lazy to get up from your couch? These are the questions I want to ask people when they talk about these new hoverboards. I mean, seriously. How did people survive back in the late 1800s when the newest technology was the light bulb and your mode of transportation was a horse?

People had to walk back then, so why do people want to stop walking now? If you want my honest opinion, I strongly JOHN LEE entertainment editor dislike these hoverboards. There are people in the world who are lazy enough to begin with, and now

they won’t even have to walk to the store to pick up their daily supply of Twinkies. First off, I’m going to talk about what these things are. In “Back to the Future,” the characters had hoverboards. But here’s the thing: those hoverboards actually flew. From what I’ve seen from the new “Swagway,” (I know, I hate it too) these things have wheels. You are not flying when you ride one of these things. That is a legitimate enough reason to not

buy one. However, I can tell that you’re still not convinced. Fine, I’ll provide you with some more information. The Swagway’s speed goes from 2 to 10 miles per hour – about as fast as a brisk walk, unless you’re running really fast. And here’s the most important part of riding something like this: You need to wear a helmet, unless you want your head to collide with the pavement when you fall, which you most likely

will. And from what I could see from all the pictures on the website that promotes the Swagway, no one in any of the pictures is wearing a helmet. No one. How many times were you told as a kid to “always wear a helmet” when you left to go ride your bike or skateboard? I can tell you that I was told constantly. Why do I think you need a helmet? Because you’ll most likely hit a bump when you’re riding down the street. The

result from this? Your board will keep rolling forward, but you’ll be lying on the pavement and wishing that you hadn’t bought this thing. You can easily have as much fun with a skateboard. Just saying. And the final nail in the coffin? This thing costs anywhere from $399.99 to $599.99. What? How is it worth it to buy this thing? Just buy a skateboard, which is much cheaper.

Bruins plan their Spring Break adventures By JACK HALL The Bear Facts Spring Break is a time most students use to catch up on much needed rest, binge-watch Netflix, or hang around the house. But it can be so much more if properly used. Chris McCandless is famous for saying, “The very basic core of a man’s living spirit is his passion for adventure.” In this article I’ll discuss a few Spring Break adventures that aren’t too far out. The mission trip Rather than leading a sedentary lifestyle accomplishing little, you could choose to participate in a mission trip abroad. Students participating include Genin Harkey who says this about her experience in Nicaragua last summer: “Going to Nicaragua is one of the best things I’ve ever experienced in my whole life because I loved the service we did, the people I met, and the whole idea behind Amigos for Christ.” This Spring Break, Harkey, a senior, will return to Nicaragua

to have an adventure serving the less fortunate. Junior Graham Hlavac will go for the first time. He said: “I am really excited to be going out of the country to serve the wonderful people of Nicaragua. This trip really puts it into perspective how lucky we really are.” Responsibilities include digging ditches, routine chores around the compound, and climbing Cerro Negro, an active volcano. Although it is too late to sign up this year, students can check in with Mrs. Banks next year to see about spending their next Spring Break in a foreign land helping others. The hiking trek Our nation is blessed with an abundance of national parks and trails just begging to be explored. Senior Nick Burrow is a seasoned hiker and has put the skills he learned in the Boy Scouts to work. “I was on a hiking trip in Sipsey, Ala., and I actually rescued a man and saved his life,”

said Burrow. “It’s better to experience things for yourself, outdoors. I did get to hike the Appalachian Trail, and you can’t get a view like what I got from watching television. It’s one of those things that you have to physically be there to fully appreciate.” Senior Brantley Bariola is another student who enjoys the great outdoors. His favorite hiking trip, as he says, “was when I hiked the North Carolina section of the Appalachian Trail. “On that trip I also kayaked the Nantahala River, and did rock climbing along the lower sandstone foothills of the Appalachian Mountains.” There are opportunities like this all across our country that can be enjoyed over Spring Break. Bariola adds: “I plan on going fly fishing for trout in Arkansas this Spring Break, or I’ll hike a small branch of the Appalachian Trail again.” Locally, students have access to the Natchez Trace Trails that wind through Madison County.

The SCUBA adventure: Ever since Jacques Cousteau developed the Aqua-Lung (which would later be renamed the self contained underwater breathing apparatus, SCUBA for short) in 1943, millions have immersed themselves in the world below. Sophomore Collin Ledbetter’s father is a Scuba instructor with Scuba Ventures, a dive shop based out of Birmingham, Alabama. Ledbetter spends his Spring Break assisting with the diving portion of the certification classes. Although Ledbetter has only dived in freshwater springs, he would like to dive in the ocean. Ledbetter says, “I would love to go Scuba diving in Hawaii in my lifetime. That would be a childhood dream come true.” Popular spots accessible over Spring Break include the U.S.S. Oriskany, Fort Pickens, and John Pennekamp State Park. The first two, in Pensacola, are only a short five hours away by car, while the final is all the way in beautiful Key Largo, Florida. Pennekamp is the oldest un-

Special to The Bear Facts The Christ of the Abyss statue is below nearly thirty feet of water in John Pennekamp State Park in Key Largo, Florida.

derwater state park in the nation, and features the Christ of the Abyss statue, submerged in 25 feet of water. The statue was placed underwater in 1965 after being donated by Italian scuba entrepreneur Egidio Cress.

Whether it’s summiting an active volcano in Nicaragua, hiking the Appalachian Trail, or exploring an aquatic world, there are many ways to spend your time wisely this spring break.

‘Star Wars’ returns to theaters, awakens the Force By STRATON GARRARD The Bear Facts The (marketing) Force is strong with this one. “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” opened in theaters Dec. 18, unleashing a weapon that has obliterated nearly every sales record ever established since silent films went out of fashion. Records include, but aren’t limited to: fastest film to gross $1 billion, accomplishing it in 12 days; biggest worldwide open-

REVIEW ing weekend and single weekend gross at $529 million; widest worldwide IMAX release, featuring the film in 937 IMAX screens; highest grossing film of all time in the United States, taking just 20 days to break past “Avatar”; first movie in the United States to gross $850 million dollars in ticket sales; and stayed at No. 1 for five consecutive weeks. Most impressive.

Beyond its many box office accomplishments, the film itself is absolutely fantastic – maintaining an above 90 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes since critics were allowed to see the film. Much of the success of the film can be attributed to an astonishingly robust marketing campaign managed by Disney as well as attracting a massive cult following which the filmmakers admitted to dedicating this movie toward. However, I believe that the approval and sense of awe at-

tributed to this movie transcends corporate machines and a mere populist revolution; nay, this film has substance, romance, action and a smart combination of welltimed exposition and perfectly utilized nostalgia to give this movie the image it deserves. The quintessential American myth. Much of America has seen the film, but in consideration for those hermit-like few who have managed to not only neglect to see the film, but also haven’t heard anything concerning its

plot, I will not divulge any spoilers. All that I will say is that this film deserves every award and critical acclaim it has achieved thus far, plus much, much more. To say this film is beautiful is an understatement; it is a cinematic force that has evoked true visceral emotion that has been sorely lacking in box office busting films, such as “The Avengers” and “The Hunger Games.” Words lack the meaning to describe effectively the raw power

Go Bruins!!! 2015-2016

Special events staff

Thank you for your support. We hope y’all have a great school year! Sincerely, Your cafeteria team

this film and the history it represents for all who secretly call Tatooine home. This isn't merely another film to be watched and discarded. This is the history of America. My use of the English language cannot give such an experience justice, so I simply won’t indulge my ego in trying. All I can say is that if you manage to miss while its still in theaters, you’ve done yourself a severe injustice.

Bruin News

PAGE 8

Celebrating Catholic Schools Week 2016

THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 2016

St. Joseph Catholic School celebrated Catholic Schools Week from Monday, Feb. 1, through Friday, Feb. 5. Students, faculty, staff and parents celebrated Mass with Bishop Kopacz. The school sponsored a successful blood drive. And the week ended with the annual student-faculty basketball game.

TOP LEFT: Dennis Dillon before the faculty-student basketball game that ended Catholic Schools Week. Photo by Leila de Gruy TOP MIDDLE: Senior Russell Patterson. Photo by Leila de Gruy TOP RIGHT: Coach Kenner Purvis. Photo by Leila de Gruy MIDDLE RIGHT: Bishop Joseph Kopacz greets students after Mass. Photo by Riley Wolf SECOND ROW, LEFT: Senior Ben Payne gives blood. Photo by Leila de Gruy SECOND ROW, MIDDLE: Sophomore Leah Blevins waits to give blood. Photo by Leila de Gruy SECOND ROW, RIGHT: Bishop Kopacz gives communion during Mass. Photo by Leah Murphy THIRD ROW LEFT: Senior Katelyn Hanneke drinks soda after giving blood. Photo by Frances Huff BOTTOM ROW LEFT: The senior basketball team from left: Jon Dale Dieckman, Josh Clayton, Luci Strong, Eric Diamond, Katelyn Hanneke, Taylor Healy, Eva Hill, Alannah Frierson. Front row: Joey Flaherty and Russell Patterson. Photo by Leila de Gruy

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Bruin Sports

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Boys basketball rolls to success this year By JOSHUA CLAYTON The Bear Facts The Bruin basketball team is the regular season District 6-2A champions this year. The Bruins closed out the regular season with a 68-56 win over Puckett while being cheered on by a rabid student section. “It was awesome yelling at the Puckett players,” senior Alex Jepson said, “It never really felt like we could lose.” The Bruins came out hot and looked as if they would cruise to another easy win until the fourth quarter. The Wolves staged a small comeback and were within 4

points at n Basketball one time Coach Nick before the Bruins Stamps leads held them Bruins to off with success clutch free PAGE 10 throws down the stretch. The team finished the regular season with a 20-3 record and went 9-1 in the district. This season featured a 14-game winning streak that was broken in an upset loss to Scott Central. The Bruins had all the confidence going into the district tour-

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nament and the state playoffs. Their success in the regular seaWhen I son awarded them a first round bye along with a target on their played, it was like back as the team to beat. The success of this season my job was really might have come as a surprise to easy.” some, but for this year’s seniors, it’s been a long time coming. It all started three years ago - Jamal Holmesduring Coach Nick Stamps’ first Griffin, season at St. Joe when he played freshman in important games at a senior important moments. “As a freshman, I figured I wouldn’t play that much,” senior guard Jamal Holmes-Griffin said. Holmes-Grffin provided ef“But when I played, it was like ficient play as a freshman in a my job was really easy.” backup point guard role, giving

starters much-needed rest. “I just came in and did what I had to do,” he said. Stamps’ willingness to play underclassmen early and often has continued into this season, and the Bruins are boasting their most impressive freshman and sophomore classes in years. Sophomore Gabe Watson has played lights-out this year and continued to elevate his teammates. Hayden Brice is another sophomore that performed well with significant minutes, and Winford Ross was invited to play in the Mississippi Sports Medicine North/South All-Star game.

Freshmen Douglas Watson, Nathan Nickens and Kiland Harrison are delivering in their first year playing for Coach Stamps just like Jamal did. “You know he’s an intense coach,” Harrison said, “so you just have to give him 100 percent.” Harrison and his classmates can be part of the start of a bright future for St. Joe basketball and can set the team apart from opponents now by adding depth to the roster. “I’m getting all of this practice now,” he said, “and I’ll be ready when it’s my time to step up.”

Bruin baseball opens 2016 season with wins By ERIC DIAMOND The Bear Facts There was a road block on the Road to Pearl and the state championship last spring for the Bruin baseball team. This year, though, with wins against St. Al and Hartfield Academy to open the 2016 season, the team looks to push further this year after being defeated in 2015 by the Taylorsville Tartars. The Bruins finished last season with an 18-7 record, consisting of a 13-5 regular season record and a 5-2 playoff record. The Bruins finished third in Division 2A. “The game that really got us moving last year was the loss to Canton Academy,” said senior baseball player Will Butts. After the loss to Canton in the second game of a double-header, the Bruins stayed an extra two hours to practice and condition because Coach Gerard McCall wanted it to be clear that winning doesn’t come easy. After this, the attitude of the team changed and the Bruins started to hit on all cylinders. The Bruins have been work-

ing hard preparing for the 2016 season ahead. Butts said that he is “looking for the team to work hard and come together as a family to beat anyone that gets in the way.” The schedule ahead holds some big non-district match-ups with games against Ridgeland, Madison Central, Clinton and Jackson Prep. A huge, rivalry match up will be against St. Andrew’s early in the season. This game has some added heat to it this year because the Bruins beat the Saints last year for the first time in 21 years. These games will be tough, but the Bruins have proven themselves worthy in the past. The players fully believe that they can win these games. “All we have to do is play St. Joe baseball and don’t try to do too much. We have plenty of experience and have the skill,” said senior pitcher and middle infielder Russell Patterson. The district games this year will be against Lake, Pisgah, Pelahatchie, Puckett and Scott Central. The team’s skill level remains high this year in all posi-

tions on the diamond. The Bruins will return almost all starters to the lineup this year, and expect more from them. The seniors this year are looking forward to the season – especially games against St. Andrew’s, Madison Central and Pisgah. The seniors are also looking for no less than a state championship. “We have great depth in the pitcher position, and it will be a battle to see who gets the ball first game of the season,” said Coach McCall. The Bruins will play without pitcher Thomas Benson, who graduated last year. He helped the Bruins go deep into the playoffs. McCall believes the Bruins have a good pitching staff this year and expects lots out of them. “Our staff will be good if we keep working hard and have an explosive start to the season,”said junior right-handed pitcher Jack Garrard. McCall also believes the Bruins have one of the best and most complete hitting lineups in all 2A. The Bruins will look to senior first baseman and designated

File photo/The Bear Facts Bruin baseball players before the start of a varsity game during the 2015 season. The Bruins made it to the third round of the play-offs, losing to Taylorsville.

hitter Jon Dale Dieckman to give the Bruins a big offensive boost. Dieckman had a batting average of .351 and drove in 29 runs last season as well as two home-

runs. The Bruins are excited for said the team has the talent to the season. have more success than last year. Patterson said that in order to continue the success, the team Staff writer Jon Dale Dieckman will have to work hard. Patterson contributed to this report.

NICK STAMPS, from page 10 to St. Joe alum Denarius Odell. “I try to play like him – not so much in his footsteps. It’s more like (I) play my game and am a leader like he was.” That first-year team for Stamps was a wonderful starter year, showing him how far he can take his players. But how much does it take to be great? Stamps’ players begin practice during the summer, waking at 5 a.m. and attending two practices a day with weightlifting sessions in-between. “Whatever you do in life, you need to put in the time, work and effort.” Stamps said. St. Joe surged into the No. 1 seed in their division for the division tournament. The Bruins won that title, moving into the state playoffs. Currently, the Bruins hold a 24-3 record heading into Friday’s playoff game. So, how does Coach Stamps achieve such great success with only four years experience as a head coach? Stamps himself was a high school basketball player. But his talent includes more than just being a player. He also is an NBA trainer, working with

players such as Fezzes Azili, Jokim Noah and longtime friend Al Jefferson “I played college ball, and when I came home I started working with a lot of athletes,” Stamps said. “One of those players was Al Jefferson. Fortunately, he was drafted straight out of high school to the NBA, and he’s had me along the way the whole ride. “You can choose to work out with anybody in the whole nation, the whole world, and he chose to continue to work out with me.” “I started playing ball back when I was around 4 years old. I started picking up basketball, following around my older brother.” Stamps is a Jackson native who started playing on a YMCA league for which his older brother played. “The season’s going very well,” Stamps said. Some of the bigger moments of the year included beating Madison Central, with a longrange, 3-point buzzer shot from guard Kydarius Williams. “Any time you beat a 6-A school is a big deal.”

But, on the other hand, “losing to St. Andrew’s – no ‘ifs,’ ‘ands,’ or ‘buts’ about it. We had a long break in-between games. I really didn’t do a good job preparing the guys for such an intense rivalry game.” Prepared or not and with just three losses on the record, the Bruin basketball team has won two of three tournaments in which it competed, had a great run in its division and now is rolling through the playoffs. “I started playing with him (Coach Stamps) my ninth grade year,” Holmes-Griffin said. “And he’s the only person I’ve known that’s showed a real effort in making us a very good team. “He really works hard. I can say I’m proud of him as a coach.” Before each game, the team has a quiet meditation. “We turn the lights off,’ Stamps said. “We ... get in the moment. I’m a big believer in trying to live in the moment, relax and calm down. As long as we stay humble and work hard, I really think we have a chance to make it (in the playoffs).”

MILLER TODD, from page 10 Coach Todd took over the reins as head football coach when he replaced Godfrey as athletic director. Coach Todd also has made many memories in the classroom. He has served many different teaching positions throughout many grades. Some of the classes he has taught include seventh grade science, earth science, physical science, health education, physical education and personal finance. Setting aside the athletic and academic side of Catholic schools, Coach Todd credits most

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I will . . . most likely be lost on Friday nights this upcoming fall.” – Coach Miller Todd, athletic director

of his faith-based life from being a part of the St. Joe Catholic community. Coach Todd and his wife recently became parents of triplets. “The love and support with the triplets has been nothing short of a miracle,” Coach Todd said. “I cannot begin to thank everyone for their endless support and generosity. “I will greatly miss this place and these people. The kids here are exceptional. I will . . . most likely be lost on Friday nights this upcoming fall.”

MURPHY COLUMN, from page 10 past. I just tried to do my job and continue to play the game,” he said. After his freshman year, he transferred schools once more to St. Joseph Catholic School. St. Joe has been a great fit for him. Right off the bat, people at St. Joe knew Ross would play a key

role in our basketball program that year and for years to come. At more than 6-feet tall, he is without a doubt a perfect player for basketball at any level – whether high school, college or even professional. All of Ross’ hard work and determination over the years has

paid off and earned him a spot in the 2015-2016 Mississippi Sports Medicine North/South All-Star Game. I think it’s more than safe to say that I and the entire St. Joe community wish him well and congratulate him on this great honor.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 2016

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ST. JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL

Todd to resign at end of year

THE SCORE All about the BIG game Longtime St. Joseph coach plans to leave education, athletics and enter sales By GRANT MURPHY The Bear Facts

If you plan to attend the St. Joe Bruins basketball playoff game Friday at the Mississippi Coliseum, here is everything you need to know: n WHEN: 10:30 a.m. tip-off, Friday, March 4, 2016 n WHERE: Mississippi Coliseum, downtown Jackson n TICKETS: $10 each n TV/RADIO: None n SCHOOL: Spring Break begins Friday; school is out.

Miller Todd, St. Joseph Catholic School’s athletic director and head football coach, plans to resign from his position at the end of the school year. Coach Todd has worked at St. Joe for 10 years and has held numerous positions in coaching and teaching during his lengthy tenure here. Coach Todd’s first position with the Bruin athletic department was as defensive coordinator un-

der Flip Godfrey, Todd’s immediate predecessor as athletic director and head football coach. Todd served in that position for six years. Todd also served as head coach of the Bruin baseball team before Gerard McCall took over that program.. “Flip Godfrey is definitely my mentor,” Todd said. “I worked under him for nine years, and it was a great experience in every way.” See MILLER TODD, PAGE 9

Photo by Catherine Cook/The Bear Facts Coach Miller Todd on the sidelines during a fall 2015 football game on the St. Joe campus.

Stamping out the competition As Bruin basketball players prepare for Friday’s playoff game, they can thank Coach Nick Stamps for setting the team on the road to success

Diamond to Delta State

Eric Diamond, a St. Joe senior football player and pitcher on the varsity baseball team, will continue to play football after high school. Diamond signed a letter of intent last month to play college football beginning this fall at Delta State University in Cleveland. Diamond signed his letter of intent during a brief ceremony on National Signing Day. The ceremony was attended by St. Joe coaches, faculty, students, supporters and Diamond’s parents.

Holy Rollers bowl strike

The St. Joe boys bowling team ended the 2016 season by placing seventh in the state meet after placing second in the district meet Feb. 9. The men’s team had a succesful season with an undefeated regular season record. The women’s team had a rebuilding year. The team did not make the state tournament, but hopes to improve next year.

Tennis season

began wednesday The Bruin tennis team opened the 2016 season Wednesday, more than a month after starting practice on Feb. 1. Last year, the team reached the semifinals of the 2A tournament, losing to East Webster. The team had junior Stedman Strickland take home the 2A state championship for Boy’s singles. “This season, I hope to win the 2A state championship with a big win over East Webster,” said sophomore tennis player Nicholas Zouboukos.

ABOVE: Nick Stamps, head coach of the St. Joe Bruins basketball team, paces the sidelines in the Bruin gym during a key district basketball game. Stamps has rebuilt the Bruin basketball team in recent years and is leading players into the next round of the state playoffs at the Mississippi Coliseum on Friday.

Story and photo by Christo Hicks

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fter four years as head INSIDE coach of the St. Joseph n Basketball Bruins basketball season program, Nicholas Stamps reaches new heights, is leading his team into the next PAGE 9 round of the state playoffs Friday at the Mississippi Coliseum after completing an explosive regular season run. “The season’s going great,” Stamps said recently.

“We got some great players – (a) great mix of veterans and young guys. We have some guys really stepping up.” The team seems to mirror the 2012-2013 team that had great success on the court. It was the first group of players that Stamps coached, a group that set the standard for greatness. “I really looked up to Denarius,” said senior basketball player Jamal Holmes-Griffin, referring See NICK STAMPS, PAGE 9

Ross to represent St. Joe Bruins in all-star game Did you know?

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ne of the St. Joe The average golf ball has 366 Bruin’s dimples on its shell. very own, Winford Ross, will play in the Mississippi Lichenstein is the only Sports Medicine country to have competed in North/South All-Star 16 different Olympic Games Game. GRANT without ever winning a medal in After watching MURPHY sports editor any category. Ross play the past couple of years, this accomplishment There are only 18 total really isn’t that much of a surprise. Ross minutes of live action in an is a talented, standout player. And his enitre baseball game. selection proves the point that St. Joe and our athletes can compete with anyone in

any classification. The all-star game is set for Friday, March 25, at Mississippi College in Clinton. The game features the best juniors in the state from every classification. Ross, all 6 feet and 7 inches of him, has played basketball since the third grade. He was raised in the town of Lexington, about 45 minutes north of Madison. In fifth grade, he moved from S.V. Marshall and transferred to Durant Middle School – where he stayed from sixth to eighth grade. Most athletes, no matter which sport they play, usually have to wait until their

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Winford has definitely made a difference on our teams in a lot of ways.”

– Hayden Brice, a sophomore sophomore or junior years until they are able to earn playing time on the varsity teams.

Winford’s situation was a little different than most players. Eighth grade was the year that his basketball career took a huge leap. He had his first start as part of the varsity squad for Durant High – an amazing feat considering he was a middle-schooler competing against upper-classmen for a spot on the varsity squad. Winford played as a starter on the Durant High team until he transferred to J.J. McClain for his freshman year. “It was a new school, but I was still playing the same game. I didn’t try to do anything different than I had done in the See MURPHY COLUMN, Page 9