The Bear Facts: November 2017 special edition

Bear Facts the

VOLUME 21, NO. 3

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2017

SAINT JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL

MADISON, MISSISSIPPI

THREE-TIME CHAMPS! Bruin girls swim team takes state championship for third straight year, Bruin boys team wins second place

Senior Adkins, freshman Dorroh break state records to lead Bruins Story by Jack Clements photo by Anna Chris Nicholas TUPELO – The St. Joseph Catholic School Bruin girls swim team is the state champion – for the third straight year.

The girls claimed the state title at the end of the all-day state championship swim meet on Saturday, Oct. 28, at the Tupelo Aquatic Center.

The Bruin boys team finished with second place in the swim meet.

“I am really excited to have won state as a senior,” said Emma Adkins, who won the 50-yard freestyle and set a new state record at 24:43. The previous record of 24:97 had stood for the last five years.

“This year we have all been working so hard, See SWIM TEAM, Page 3

Senior Emma Adkins plays key role in girls championship win

W

hat’s the measure of a great athletic moment?

Perhaps the improbability of an JOE event is the single PEARSON greatest factor in sports editor determining greatness.

Indeed, in the most unlikely of instances, the greatest moments can be found.

The scene: Saturday, Oct. 28, 2017, in the Tupelo Aquatic Center. The St. Joseph girls swim team was trailing arch rival St.

Andrew’s Episcopal School in the state championship meet with just few more events remaining. The possibility of a third straight state title for the Bruins girls swim team was slipping away.

Then, time seemingly stood still.

The loud cheers and screams that filled the Tupelo Aquatic Center suddenly fell silent – at least in the mind of Bruin swimmer Emma Adkins who stood patiently on the starting block waiting the buzzer to start her race.

All her life, Adkins dreamt of the chance to set a state record and help her team win a state championship.

Now, the opportunity stood right in front of her ready to be seized.

LONGTIME SWIMMER Adkins has swum competitively since she was 6. She has been a member of the St. Joe swim team since seventh grade.

Years of rigorous training, countless hours in the pool and early mornings attending swim practice at University Wellness Center culminated with this – her final meet as a member of the St. Joe swim team.

Earlier in the swim meet, Adkins

swam the 50 butterfly in the medley relay. Now she was preparing to swim the 50-yard freestyle , her favorite event.

“Before the race, I talked to Coach Lauri and was mentally preparing,” Adkins said. “I knew I could be close to breaking the (state) record.”

As soon as the buzzer sounded, Adkins dove in.

Anticipation among Adkins’ teammates mounted as they could tell she might break the record.

Adkins was entering her second lap, and everyone in the arena was watching.

Finally, she touched the wall and

her time flashed on the giant board at the end of the pool: 24.43 seconds, beating the previous state record of 24.97.

TEAM CELEBRATES The whole swim team erupted in cheers. Adkins climbed out of the pool, unable to contain her emotions.

The whole team gathered around to congratulate her.

“After, I celebrated with my team,” she said. “And I was honored to have set a state record.”

For her next individual event, See PEARSON COLUMN Page 3

Opinion

PAGE 2

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2017

The importance of pride and school spirit

A

s the regular football season comes to a close, the celebrations we participated in these past few months probably BLAINE won’t come again until TURNER next fall. editor Theme dress days, loud pep rallies and packed football stadiums have once again gone on hiatus until the following school year.

Although these activities are taking a break, our school spirit and pride should not. Throughout this school year in particular, one question has circled around campus. It is worded in many ways, but the question is ultimately is: “Does school spirit and school pride matter?”

School spirit and school pride are one in the same. By definition, pride is a feeling, deep pleasure or satisfaction derived from one’s own achievements, the achievements of those with whom one is closely associated, or from qualities or possessions that are widely admired.

Pride is something that we should all have for our school. We compete against other schools and our attitude towards ourselves is shown in several ways.

The Bruin band, cheerleaders and Spirit Steppers all have a part in the amount of pride and spirit we have for our school. The band provides entertainment to both spectators and the team through music. Cheerleaders provide enthusiastic support for the team competing in wins and losses. The Spirit Steppers add fun choreography and entertainment throughout the games.

However, the responsibility of school spirit and pride doesn’t rely solely Shown above: Senior Riley Cole and Freshman Grace Goodloe play musical chairs at the pep rally.

“

When we have pride in something, we take care of and want to make it better.”

Our view

on the band, cheerleaders and Spirit Steppers.

School spirit and pride is up to each individual. We all choose to actively support our school or just be a bystander.

Students can participate and show school spirit in several ways.

Participating in an athletic team, being in the band, or being a cheerleader

or spirit stepper isn’t the only way contrary to what most people think.

School spirit is demonstrated by going to sporting events to support your peers and dressing up on themed pep rally days. However, having school spirit is just a small part of having school pride.

School pride is a result of knowing that your school is the best. When we

Changes have officially arrived at St. Joe

To our St. Joseph O actors: Break a leg After auditioning for a part, participating in months of rehearsals, learning long lines of dialog and perfecting a British accent, St. Joe actors and actresses take the stage tonight for “Peter and the Starcatcher.” The play opens a three-day, four-performance run at the school’s Fine Arts theater.

The back stage crew and the sound and light crew are an essential part of the show.

They may not be seen or heard. But what they do is equally, if not more, important than the work of the actors and actresses.

Tonight, as the curtain rolls away for the first performance, we hope that all who participated in any part of the play showcase their hard work and dedication. Have fun.

Enjoy yourself.

Break a leg.

have pride in something, we take care of and want to continue to make it better. This includes small tasks such as following the rules and cleaning up ourselves.

In my opinion as a St. Joe Bruin we all have a lot to take to pride in. So let’s make sure to always exhibit our pride and spirit for our fellow bruins no matter the activity.

ne of the greatest concerns of the students of St. Joseph for the past few weeks has been the topic of what they are and are not allowed to do.

First of all: Yes, new rules have been implemented this school year. And it is true that many students have found issue with some of KIM these, especially seniors. Some say that the rules KAISER regarding uniform and school etiquette are new columnist and uncalled for, and it is all too easy to direct anger toward the principal.

This is exactly where we are wrong.

Now, mind you, I was rather upset myself when I was introduced to these regulations. But this anger lasted all of about three minutes when I was reminded that these rules have been in place for years. Any qualms students have with the enforcement of these rules, in many cases, are because they must have not been paying attention to what school they have been attending for the past few years.

As much as even I have complained about not eating outside of the cafeteria and not being allowed to bring blankets to school, the logical part of me can do nothing but begrudgingly agree. Having witnessed an infestation of ants in my own house, I understand how some students’ habits of hiding food in lockers can be a problem.

And walking around with a blanket and wearing sweatpants – while incredibly comfortable – is also unacceptable.

As easy as it is to forget, we go to a school that has a reputation for producing exemplary students. To put in perspective: Would

“

And walking around with a blanket and wearing sweatpants – while incredibly comfortable – is also unacceptable.”

“

Would you like it if you threw a cocktail party and half of your attendees showed up in a messy bun or socks and sandals?”

you like it if you threw a cocktail party and half of your attendees showed up in a messy bun or socks and sandals? We have uniforms for this exact reason: to limit how comfortable and informal we can be at school, a learning facility that we have at least a small obligation to pay respect to.

And this obligation does not end only at having a uniform. It must fit appropriately – this final rule being one even I cannot claim adherence to at all times.

One of the greatest issues causing protest among students, especially upperclassmen at St. Joseph, is the threat of the nullification of several senior privileges.

I remember during my early years at this school watching seniors do what seemed to me to be whatever they wished. In recent years, however, some privileges have been disbanded or reduced.

While I can agree with some of these changes as a sophomore, I can more than understand current seniors’ disappointment at losing certain privileges that they watched past seniors enjoy.

What I believe needs to be understood is that these changes would have been issued eventually, and fate simply had it that the seniors of this year are the first to have them implemented.

Changes happen. Whether they occur slowly or all at once, they ought to be accepted. And at the end of the day, none of these changes have done any real harm to us as students.

If anything, they have every bit of potential to better us and the school we attend. And for this, once again, I can only somewhat begrudgingly agree with and obey them.

Congratulations to the swim team Looking to the beliefs of the ancient people

Thirty-one members of the 67-person St. Joseph Catholic School swim team competed for the state championship last week.

And for the third year in a row, the girls team claimed the state title. The boys team almost did the same, coming at a close second.

Wait a minute. Go back and read that again.

For the third year in a row, the girls team claimed the state title. That’s right, the girls swim team has pulled off what may seem to others an impossible feat: A threepeat state championship. That is a major accomplishment.

The Boys may have come up short for a first place finish, but their dedication and determination should not be taken for granted either.

Of special note: Senior Emma Adkins broke the state record in the 50 yard freestyle and freshman J.C. Dorroh broke the state record in the 500 yard freestyle.

Great job. And Congratulations to all Bruin swimmers.

This is indeed a team effort.

BEAR FACTS The

Blaine Turner Editor

Joe Pearson Sports Editor Terry R. Cassreino, Faculty Adviser Dena Kinsey, Principal

W

ho are we? Where do we come from? Where are we going?

These are some fundamental questions the human race has asked in its lifetime. One of the ways these questions are answered is through mythology.

I have been told that myths are traditional CALEB stories society tells itself that encodes or represent WELCH the world view, beliefs, and principles, and often entertainment the fears of society. I was introduced to mythology writer when I started to read a copy “Beowulf ” translated

by Seamus Heaney.

Over the two years since picking up that book I had read everything from the tales of King Arthur in “Le Morte d’Arthur” to “Bulfinch’s Mythology,” a classic work that serves as an introduction of mythology and goes through the major mainstays such as Greek and Roman mythology. Everything worked for me once I read “The Hero with a Thousand Faces” by Joseph Campbell. The book went through the world mythologies and connected the together through certain archetypes and motifs or repeating patterns. That is what really drew me into loving mythology.

One of the big factors in mythology is variation. There are so many types of myths to study and look over. For instance, there are etiological myths, myths that explain how certain things came to be such as why the cliffs along the start of Gibraltar are called the Pillars of Hercules. You also have charter myths, myths that give justification for a certain rite or social institution. You can clearly see this in Aztec culture in regards to human sacrifice.

Another thing about mythology involving variation is that since many of these myths have been told for centuries there are many renditions of those myths. This means that if you do not like one telling of a particular myth you can just switch it out for another telling of the same myth.

For instance there is a telling of “Jason and the Argonauts” that say Hercules and a female hero named Atalanta went on those adventure. But if you were to leave that portion out from all three

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of those stories, everything would proceed as normal. Combine all of that with the different cultures and situations presented in mythology, and there is something for everyone.

The biggest reason I love mythology is because these myths are human stories. These stories still hold a place in our society even long after the people who made them have turned to dust.

The themes and lessons presented in the stories are also still as important today. Also, these myths also help us to better understand ourselves and the culture in which we live.

But some of you may ask where do I go to further learn about mythology? Well I’d recommend reading the “Beowulf ” translation

by Seamus Heanly and “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.” For the more advanced, I’d recommend “Le Morte d’Arthur” by Sir Thomas Malory, “The Hero with a Thousand Faces” by Joseph Campbell, and “Bulfinch’s Mythology.”

I’d also recommend checking out two YouTube channels: Overly Sarcastic Productions and Crash Course, which has a fantastic mythology course. But one of the biggest recommendations I can offer you is to take a mythology class.

And it just so happens that St. Joe has a fantastic mythology class taught by Mr. Matt Hosler. Having an actual class is wonderful, especially is you have are in the hands of a capable teacher. I can report from my time in Mr. Hosler’s class that I have had a blast. We have looked at many wacky and funny stories and done several interesting actives as well. He brings certain flare to his lessons and had a wonderful laid back teaching style.

It is because of his class that I can continue to grow my love for mythology. And I hope you can start that journey, too.

“

These stories still hold a place in our society even long after the people who made them have turned to dust.”

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 Sports

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2017

PAGE 3

Lady Bruin basketball readies for new year

Players hope to improve after disappointing season in 2016-2017

By ANDREW SANLI The Bear Facts

The Bruin girls basketball team will have a similar look from last year.

The team returns many players who played a key role on the squad last year.

Although the team posted a losing record, players gained valuable experience that they can use this year.

Most of last year’s team was made up of underclassman with lots of potential. Second year coach Samuel West has been working hard to improve the team this season.

“Coach West has worked with us all individually to see where we can improve the way we play” said Alexandra Ladner a sophomore.

Coach West has been encouraging and is serving as a great leader to the team in his tenure here at St. Joe. “Oh my goodness, since Coach West File photo/The Bear Facts has been here, he treats us like a winning team. He always encourages us

Junior Luckett Nixon makes a play in this Lady Bruin basketball file photo.

and he believes in us, something we haven’t had in a while.” Galen Goodloe a junior who plays a key role on the team.

Coach West is always encouraging his girls on the bench. He coaches with lots of passion and energy and keeps the team in the game at all times no matter the score.

Coach West will use his energy and passion combined with the hard work the team has put in to have a successful season.

Not only this, Coach West has made the team a family instead of a bunch of individuals.

“I feel like the team as a whole has gotten closer since last year and we have all worked on different aspects of how we can all improve on the way we play together,” Ladner said.

The team opens up play with a nonconference game against McLaurin on Nov. 7. The team opens district play on Jan. 12 with an away game at Pisgah.

SWIM TEAM, from page 1 and to see it all pay off is just a great feeling.”

This three-year-run for the girls began in 2015. The year before, in 2014, the girls team took second, losing the championship by 18 points.

In addition to the girls’ three-peat, the boys team had its best finish since 2013 when the team by Walker Burrow, Jack Collins and Brantley Bariola took first by 21 points.

The Mississippi High School Activities Association State Championship Meet was divided into preliminaries and finals. In order to advance to the finals, swimmers had to place in the Top 8 during prelims.

More than 25 teams and about 200 swimmers competed this year. St. Joe had one of the largest teams at prelims, with 31 Bruins ready to compete.

For finals, that number fell – but the Bruins still had a heavy presence of 18 swimmers who scored.

In addition to a high number of competitors, St. Joseph also took up a large piece of real estate in the stands.

Family and friends of swimmers, swimmers who did not make it to state, and even some faculty members made the trek to Tupelo to cheer on the Bruin swimmers.

Within the walls of the Tupelo Aquatic Center, tensions were high, hearts were

“

I am really excited to have won state as a senior. This year we have all been working so hard, and to see it all pay off is just a great feeling.”

– Emma Adkins, Bruin swimmer pounding, people were yelling and cheering, and all eyes were on the starting blocks – and then the scoreboard.

To the swimmers however, that all went away. As soon as they dove into that ice-cold water, they thought about one thing and one thing only – making it to the awards podium.

And for many Bruins, that is exactly where they ended up. The top point earners for the girls included Adkins and Anna Chris Nicholas.

Besides setting as new state record in the 50-yard freestyle, Adkins also won the 100-yard freestyle as well.

Nicholas won the 100-yard backstroke

Special to The Bear Facts Members of the St. Joe boys swim team celebrate taking second place in the state championship swim meet in Tupelo on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2017.

and the 200-yard freestyle.

On the boys’ team, J.C. Dorroh also broke a state record in the 500-yard freestyle by nearly 10 seconds with a time of 4:52.65. The previous record of 5:01.59 stood since 2014. Kenny Thomas placed second in both of his individual events, the 100-yard butterfly and the 100-yard backstroke.

Relays on both sides also performed

well. Both medley relays placed second. The girls touched for second in the 200-yard freestyle relay, and the boys were third – less than 2 seconds behind Vancleave, the second-place finishers.

In the 400-yard freestyle relay, the girls won by more than 5 seconds, and the boys placed second.

All of the Bruins performed well

in the meet. And in nearly every individual event, a Bruin was in the top five finishers.

This was one of the best finishes for the Bruin swim team ever. Coach Lauri Collins said that she was proud as a peacock of the way her team performed on Saturday, and that she couldn’t have expected a better finish.

PEARSON COLUMN, from page 1 Adkins swam the 100-yard freestyle and won with a personal best time. When the girls team won the 400 relay, they capped the swim meet, secured first place and sealed the championship – the third one in a row.

“I was so glad when we won the 400 relay, because I knew if we won that, we would win the whole meet,” said Anna Chris Nicholas, a sophomore swim team member.

Thanks in part to Adkins’ performance, the Bruins came out victorious. A combination of great coaching, hard work and leadership guided the Bruin girls swim team to a three-peat.

And next year, with young swimmers like

Nicholas and Arilyn Thomas returning, the lane is wide open for a fourth state title in a row.

Adkins remains modest about her accomplishments “I am so proud of how our girls performed,” she said. “We won because of our team effort with lots of good swims from everyone. We worked hard for the state championship.

“The boys team performed outstanding, too, with just as much effort and passion. We are so grateful to Coach Lauri, Coach Kevin and Coach Michelle.”

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Bruin News

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2017

HALLOWEEN 2017

Halloween 2017 TOP LEFT: Mr. Scott Trousdale and Mrs. Terri Cooper dress up as a chicken and Colonel Sanders as a part of the Chick or Treat competition to raise money for BruinThon. Photo by Bailey Miller/ The Bear Facts TOP RIGHT: Freshman, Elliot Stephens dresses up as the Joker. Photo by Bailey Miller/The Bear Facts SECOND ROW LEFT: Sophomores Leah Murphy and Grayson Foley. Photo by Bailey Miller/The Bear Facts SECOND ROW RIGHT: Sophmore Alaina Vice dresses as Bob Ross. Photo by Bailey Miller/The Bear Facts THIRD ROW LEFT: Mary Grace Stewart. Photo by Bailey Miller/The Bear Facts BOTTOM RIGHT: Sophmores Kathleen Abadie and Anna Pearson Photo by Bailey Miller/The Bear Facts

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“The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”

– Psalm 27:1

Bruin News

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2017

PAGE 5

FALL PLAY, from page 6 to the Black Stache,” Indest said. “He is really loyal and goofy, and I truly relate to him. Although he doesn’t make sense most of the time, he means well.”

Leah Blevins, a senior at St. Joe, has also performed in other productions at St. Joe including “Little Women” and “The Phantom Tollbooth.” However, Black Stache is a character with whom Blevins feels a special bond.

“I can definitely do his sarcastic humor and quick wit,” Blevins said.

“But I also admire that through it all he’s really in search of a hero, someone who is genuinely good.”

That hero ultimately is Nikolai Armour as Peter Pan. Armour, a freshman at St. Joe, Peter Pan is accompanied by other characters such as Molly Aester, the daughter of Lord Leonard Aester, who is portrayed by sophomore Lake Dodson, and the step-daughter of Mrs. Bumbrick, who is portrayed by senior Maren Hrivnak.

This family is the central trio, who interact and connect with Peter Pan as he discovers who he truly is in the world.

“I love performing because it’s different,” said Hrivnak. “I connect with my character because she’s funny, and is really flirty. I really love my British accent. It’s different and it’s fun to act British some time.”

FALL PLAY n WHAT: “Peter and the Starcatcher,” a prequel to “Peter Pan” written by humorist Dave Barrie and writing partner Ridley Pearson. n WHEN: 7 p.m. ThursdaySaturday, Nov. 2-4, and 2 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 4. n WHERE: St. Joe’s Fine Arts theater, 308 New Mannsdale Road in Madison. n TICKETS: Admission is $10 each with St. Joseph students free.

Set in England, all characters had to learn the British dialect for the show.

Ms. Leslie Harkins, the play’s director and the St. Joe theater teacher, urged students and parents to see the fall play.

“I think everyone should come and see “Peter and the Starcatcher,” Harkins said. “It’s a fun, innovative world that students have created.

“And not only is it funny, but it teaches a lesson of individuality and having humor in every situation,” she said.

“Peter and the Starcatcher” is just one of several high-profile productions set for this year at St. Joseph Catholic School.

Photo by Rodney Self/The Bear Facts Mary Grace Stewart, left, Liam Moorehead and Maren Hrivnak rehearse a scene from “Peter and the Starcatcher.”

Immediately following the fall play will be “Gifts of the Season,” the school’s popular Christmas concert.

“Gifts” is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 8, and 2 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 9.

Then in the spring semester, the department will present a senior art show and a spring concert headlined

by the St. Joe band.

The highlight of the spring will be the annual musical. This year’s production will be the wildly popular “Bye Bye Birdie.” Performances are tentatively set for Thursday-Friday, April 5-7, in the Fine Arts Theater.

Rehearsals are expected to begin in January at the latest.

“I am so proud of our talented and dedicated student actors who put in\n a lot of time and energy after school and on the weekends for our stage productions,” Principal Dena Kinsey said.

“They are another example of how we educate the whole student.”

BACKSTAGE, from page 6 spring musical “Thoroughly Modern Millie.” Originally, he wanted to be a part of the cast, but one of the show dates interfered with his scheduled time to take the SAT. Brandon Dorsey, also a senior, de-

“

I’m not gifted to do acting, so I kind of found my place helping them be the best actors they can be.”

– Brandon Dorsey, a senior

scribes his job as, “second-inclass, as well as a crew member. who work hard to put them together, command of the stage crew,” or, Because of that, she has extra onstage and offstage. in simpler terms, a senior crew duties that include building and “Without us it’s just actors standing member. painting sets, carrying things on on the stage,” Dorsey said.

“I’m not gifted to do acting, so and off stage and fixing things I kind of found my place helping that are broken. them be the best actors they can Elizabeth Weisenberger, a be,” Dorsey said. ninth grader, also is part of the RODNEY BRANDON ELIZABETH SELF DORSEY WEISENBERGER crew. Her main job is operating The stage crew is tasked with senior senior freshman My favorite part moving sets between acts and the curtains once the props are setting up before the show. They finished. is hanging out with David is new to St. Joe, having startare often given the responsibility of “My favorite part is hanging out with making sure props are in their places ed at the beginning of August this year. everyone because they are so nice,” everyone because they and in the hands of the correct ac- She was originally disappointed that Weisenberger said. are so nice.” she unable to be a part of the preformtors.

The curtains are important to the One of the subunits of the crew that ing cast. show, because they signal the beginBut now, she said, she is grateful ning and end of scenes and help the acthe stage managers oversee is the prop – Elizabeth that she is able to see everything that tors onstage understand where they are crew.

Weisenberger, “I think my favorite part of being on happens behind the scenes. If she ever in the performance. the crew is the fact that people are see- lands a speaking role, she said, she will The crew is a pivotal part of putting ninth grader ing this scene as what I imagined,” said understand what to do – something for together stage productions like “Peter Mary Kathryn David, a ninth grader which she is now thankful. and the Starcatcher.” The plays cannot David is also a student in the theatre run smoothly without all of the people and member of the prop crew.

“

Harkins wants share her knowledge with St. Joe

By KAILEY LUSTER The Bear Facts Ms. Leslie Harkins, director of “Peter and the Starcatcher” and the theater teacher at St. Joseph, is in her fourth year directing the theater program.

Once “Peter and the Starcatcher” completes its three-day, fourperformance run at the Fine Arts LESLIE HARKINS theater, Ms. Harkins plans to turn play director her attention to the spring musical “Bye Bye Birdie.”

Harkins is an alumna of St. Joseph Catholic School. She recently took time to answer a few questions from The Bear Facts.

The Bear Facts: What attracted you to St. Joseph and its theatrical program?

Ms. Leslie Harkins: I was a student at (St. Joseph), so I felt comfortable coming back and wanted to give all the knowledge I’ve learned in my years of training to the (St. Joe) community.

The Bear Facts: What inspired you to choose this year’s play?

Ms. Harkins: I chose the fall play (“Peter and the Starcatcher”) because it’s so funny and different than anything we’ve done at the school. And I

chose the spring musical (“Bye Bye Birdie”) because it’s drastically different than last year’s musical (“Thoroughly Modern Millie”) and it’s a personal favorite of mine, just like Millie was.

The Bear Facts: Why did you chose freshman, Nikolai Armour to play the main role in the play?

Ms. Harkins: I chose Nikolai because I saw something in him at his audition. He . . . gave me some acting. I could tell that with the right work he’d be very successful.

The Bear Facts: How is this year’s play going to differ from others?

Ms. Harkins: It’s different because it’s meant to be hilariously funny and witty. I liked that it takes a story that everyone knows and uses that as its base.

The Bear Facts: What is the schedule like for students in the play?

Ms. Harkins: We practice two to three times a week from 3:30-6 p.m. and also on Saturdays.

The Bear Facts: What are your expectations for this year’s play?

Ms. Harkins: I expect it to be fun. I expect the cast to love what they have created. And I expect for them to know that all of the hard work they’ve put in was well worth it by having a killer end result.

BEAR FACTS

Meet some members of the cast of ‘Peter and the Starcatcher’ Here is a look at a few of the main characters in the St. Joseph Catholic School fall stage production of “Peter and the Starcatcher,” based on the prequel novel to J.M. Barrie’s classic “Peter Pan.” Compiled by Amari Well, The Bear Facts.

Nikolai Armour, 14, freshman

Sam Indest, 17, senior

Peter Pan

Smee

How does Nikolai Armour identify with Peter Pan, the main character of the play?

Armour: Peter is very adventurous like me and he is also an orphan like I was before I got adopted. I really like my role and how it relates to a boy wanting to be a boy for a while.

Lake Dodson, 15, sophomore Lord Leonard Aester How does Lake Dodson identify with Lord Leonard Aester?

Stewart: I get into my character by sort of acting pompous and over the top. Lord Aester is very loyal like me.

The

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Leah Blevins, 18, senior Captain Black Stache

How does Sam Indest identify with Smee?

Indest: I feel like my character is funny and is blindly loyal to Captain Stash. No matter what happens, he’s loyal. He’s not the smartest one and not confident in what he says, but he’s completely loyal.

Mary Grace Stewart, 14, sophomore Molly Aester How does Mary Grace Stewart identify with Molly Aester?

Stewart: On the Broadway show, Molly is the only girl. That shows how important she is in the play. She’s independent and strong, but also has the characteristics of a girl and still figuring out how to grow up like me.

How does Leah Blevins identify with Captain Black Stache?

Blevins: The Black Stache is hilariously sassy like me and a little bit of aggressive. But underneath he’s a little bit of a softy. It’s a very physical role, and it requires a lot of quick humor, which I also bring into it. It’s fun playing the antagonist compared to my role of Millie from the spring musical last year.”

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Bruin News PAGE 6

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2017

SAINT JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL

Flight of Fantasy

MADISON, MISSISSIPPI

OLD STATE CAPITOL

De Gruy to run for Youth Leg governor Four-day mock legislature opens Nov. 8 in Jackson

By JULIAN BROWN The Bear Facts

Claire Conn, left, Mary Green and Nikolai Armour rehearse a scene from “Peter and the Starcatcher,” St. Joseph Catholic School’s fall play that opens a three-day, four-performance run tonight in the Fine Arts theater.

St. Joseph opens its performing arts season by staging ‘Peter Pan’ sequel: “Peter and the Starcatcher’ his time in Neverland.

Unlike the animated Disney film and Broadway musical After weeks of rehearsals and intense adaptation of Barrie’s preparations, the Tony Award-winning play INSIDE classic, “Peter and “Peter and the Starcatcher” opens tonight n Q&A with Ms. the Starcatcher” is a for a three-day, four-performance run at St. Leslie Harkins straight play.

Joseph Catholic School.

SAM NIKOLAI MAREN INDEST ARMOUR HRIVNAK Curtain time is 7 The play, a prequel to J.M. Barrie’s n The cast of senior freshman senior p.m. tonight, Friday “Peter Pan,” is the first of two theatrical “Peter and the and Saturday with a productions St. Joseph students will stage Starcatcher” special 2 p.m. matinée on Saturday. Tickets are $10 each, with St. this year and the first of several fine arts Joe students admitted free. events for the 2017-2018 school year.

PAGE 5 You can buy tickets at the box office or buy them online in “While it is a very serious play, it has a advance at http://www.stjoetheatre.booktix.com. lot of jokes and involves the audience a lot Indest previously has performed at St. Joe in the 2017 spring – which I think gives a nice aspect to the performance,” said Sam Indest, a senior and one of several actors in musical “Thoroughly Modern Millie” and played in the orchestra for the 2016 spring musical “Seussical the Musical.” the production.

“Peter and the Starcatcher,” however, is Indest’s first “Peter and the Starcatcher” is based on the 2004 novel “Peter and performance, and he feels a true connection to his character. the Starcatchers” written by humorist Dave Barry and his writing “I play Smee, and he is mostly identified as the right-hand man partner Ridley Pearson. The book spawned four sequels, all set before J.M. Barrie’s original story.

See FALL PLAY, Page 5 “Peter and the Starcatcher” describes the life of Peter Pan before

Story and photo by Rodney Self

Backstage crew holds it all together

By BIANCA MCCARTY The Bear Facts When the fall play rolls around every year, the spotlight is often focused on the actors on stage.

But what goes on backstage is just as important.

The crew of “Peter and the Star Catcher” begin work two weeks before the play. They take care of everything behind the curtain, such as lighting, sound, props and sets.

“Without a stage manager, the whole backstage crew would not know what is going on,” said Rodney Self, a St. Joseph Catholic School senior at St. Joe and the Photo by Rodney Self/The Bear Facts production’s stage manager.

D’Angelo Ware works on the set for “Peter and the Starcatcher.” Ware is “The stage manager is there one of several people on the back stage crew.

from Day 1.”

“Peter and the Starcatcher” opens a three-day run at the St. Joe Fine Arts theater tonight at 7.

It is the first of two major theatrical productions St. Joe will stage this year that includes the spring musical “Bye Bye Birdie.”

The primary job of a stage manager is to direct the entire backstage crew as well as create sets, help the on-stage cast with blocking, and taking notes for Ms. Leslie Harkins – the play’s director of the play, as well as the theatre teacher.

Self has worked on many school theatrical productions while a student at St. Joe, including the 2017 See BACKSTAGE, Page 5

Junior Leila de Gruy plans to run for governor of the Mississippi Youth Legislature next week and become the first St. Joe student to hold the position since alumnus Ben Payne in 2015.

De Gruy, who will serve LEILA DE GRUY as president pro team of the junior Youth Legislature Senate, said she believes she has a great shot at winning the highest office. The governor sets the agenda, reviews bills and signs them into law.

“I’ve been getting together campaign materials and writing speeches,” de Gruy said.

LEAH “I also have used my previous BLEVINS years at Youth Legislature senior as preparation — meeting people, building relationships and learning how to talk in front of crowds.”

The Mississippi Youth Legislature meets every fall for a four-day session in downtown Jackson. There, delegates from schools across metropolitan Jackson and the state of Mississippi stage a mock legislature.

The four-day session opens at 5 p.m.

Wednesday, Nov. 8.

Student delegates serve in a House and Senate. Representatives and senators write, propose and debate legislation — often including high-profile issues the actual Mississippi Legislature debates every year.

Each bill is considered by a House or Senate committee. If it clears the panel, then it goes to the full House or Senate for a vote.

Proposals that clear the House or Senate swap chambers and start the process again.

Besides serving in leadership roles and serving in the House or Senate, delegates also serve as lobbyists or members of the press.

De Gruy was motivated to run for governor

by Payne and St. Joe alumnus Noah Greene.

Payne served as governor and Green was lieutenant governor — the top two elected positions — in 2015.

“My dad has been my biggest supporter when it comes to anything involving youth government,” de Gruy said.

St. Joe senior Leah Blevins, who plans to attend Youth Legislature this year, said de Gruy’s work in previous years “helped prepare her for the vigor of a gubernatorial election this year.”

“She has some tough opposition,” Blevins said. “But I think with her experience and passion has a strong chance to win.”

De Gruy believes she has a shot.

“I will be so excited if I win,” she said.

“This has been what I've been working for since my eighth grade year. It would be super exciting for St. Joe to have another governor so soon after Ben Payne.”

St. Joe welcomes prospective families to ‘Catch the Spirit’

By LEAH CLARK The Bear Facts Students considering a new school next fall will have a chance Sunday to meet with St. Joseph administrators, faculty, coaches and students at the school’s annual Open House.

The event, called “Catch the Spirit,” begins at 2 p.m. Sunday in the Fine Arts theater. It is a way to introduce potential students and their parents to everything about St. Joe. Mrs. Tricia Harris is coordinating the event along with a host of other volunteers. She said many organizations are working together to make the event a huge success.

The Parent Association is overseeing the reception for the visiting students and parents. The reception will be outside so families can experience the school’s picturesque campus.

Teachers and staff members will welcome the visitors. Teachers also will help show potential parents how the school curriculum is organized.

Student Council members also will be there to help welcome the families.

Student Council members will direct parents and students to different locations around the school.

Families whose children attend St. Joe’s elementary feeder schools – St. Richard, St. Anthony and Sister Thea Bowman Catholic schools – usually attend the annual event.

This year, St. Joe parents Dena Kinsey said.. promoted the Open House In previous years, families during Mass on Saturday and walked across the whole camSunday at their own Catholic pus. This year the open house parish. The school hopes to will be kept on one side of the attract students from other campus. schools in addition to those The annual Open House is who attend Catholic elemenan exciting time for the St. Joe tary schools. community. New parents and Those at the Open House students can see the school and will see the band and choir decide if they want to become St. Joseph Catholic School | 308 New Mannadale Road, Madison, MS 39110 perform. After the perforstjoebruins.com – (601) 898-4800 part of the St. Joe family. mances, families will have an Mrs. Kinsey is ready for the opportunity to meet other parevent.

This year visitors will watch a virents and tour the campus.

“Open House gives us the chance to tual tour of the whole school.

Visitors also will learn about all of show off what all we do here,” she said.

“I want people to be able to experi- “This year we're inviting everyone to the extra-curricular activities St. Joe offers. Coaches from different sports will ence St. Joe in one location, so we’re come ‘Catch the Spirit’ of St. Joe.” be at the event to answer any questions. using our video technology,” Principal