MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR
The
Bear
VOLUME 16, ISSUE NO. 3
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Facts
DECEMBER 14, 2012
www.sjbearfacts.com
After spending his life in Padova, Italy, Giacomo Dughiero suddenly finds himself thousands of miles from home attending a small Catholic school in Madison – and right in the middle of a major...
CULTURE CLASH
Photos by Miranda Barrett Above: Giacomo Dughiero clowns around during lunch on the senior deck with friends Griffin Kennington, left, Maddie Best, Steven White, Jordan Welsh, Spence Howell, and Charlie Waddingham. Right: Dughiero jokingly points to items in what he calls “The Italian Survival Kit.”
By MIRANDA BARRETT Editor-In-Chief
G
iacomo Dughiero, this year’s Italian foreign exchange student, is a senior at St. Joe who enjoys gymnastics, playing piano and listening to Salmo – his favorite Italian artist. Dughiero also is known for his signature tumbling routines during St. Joe pep rallies. He is originally from Padova, Italy, near Venice. He became involved in the exchange student program through his family. “I got involved because my cousin came here five years ago, attended St. Joe in 2006-2007 and lived with the same family,” Dughiero said. “That's why I chose to come to Mississippi.” Dughiero is living with Eddie, Becky and Emma Adkins. Becky Adkins works in the St. Joe Office of Advancement, and Emma is in the seventh grade. Although Dughiero chose to visit here, he was surprised by the differences between the United States and Italy. “We have a lot of buses, and we walk everywhere,” he said. “Nothing is spread out like it is here. We don't have to drive all the time.” School in Italy is different, too. Dughiero said, “our schools are harder. We have oral tests every day in every subject, and we don't get to choose our
classes. We have 13 grades instead of 12, and seniors don’t get privileges like they do here.” Also, Italian schools grade on an 85point scale instead of 100. Students are required to make at least a 65, the equivalent of an 80 here, to pass their classes. School may be tougher in Italy, but Dughiero still finds time for his many hobbies. He has been a gymnast since he was 5 years old; has played soccer for 10 years; and has played piano for 12 years. He also spends summers teaching people to sail.
“One reason I think people like him so much is that he is so sweet and friendly with everyone.” -Mary Zuniga Dughiero has many talents and a lot of determination to keep up with so many activities. However, he has not yet decided what he wants to do after school. “I don’t know yet,” he said. “I may want to study medicine in college.” For now, Dughiero looks forward to his time in the United States. He has joined the St. Joe soccer team and was one of the “Bleacher Creatures” – students who show spirit by painting them-
selves for football games. He also is dating St. Joe junior Mary Zuniga; the two attended Homecoming 2012 together. Dughiero asked Zuniga to the Homecoming dance at the first football game of the season by writing signs that the cheerleaders held up during the game. In Italy, there aren’t dances like there are in the United States. “I’ve never done anything like that before,” Dughiero said. But Homecoming isn’t the only impressive thing Dughiero has done. “He asked me out in the cutest way,” Zuniga said. “I got a call from someone’s number that was saved as ‘Will you be my girlfriend?’ I answered and he told me to go outside. He was standing outside my house in the rain.” St. Joe students have a lot to say about the new exchange student. Junior Bailey Brilley of Jackson said he thinks Dughiero “lights up the school atmosphere while giving students a more global world view.” Zuniga said, “One reason I think people like him so much is that he is so
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SAINT JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL
‘Gifts of the Season’ creates memorable Wonderland By MIRANDA BARRETT and WHITNEY WILLOUGHBY Staff Writers
St. Joseph Catholic School students and faculty celebrated the Christmas season with the annual “Gifts of the Season” program in the Fine Arts Theater on Saturday and Sunday. The event featured performances by the school band, the choir and the St. Joe dancers. Performers sang seasonal songs, such as “Mr. Grinch,” “Carol of the Bells,” “Silent Night” and more. Ronny Russell, the St. Joe band director, added new touches to the program this year. Russell directed the program for the ninth straight year. “I am mostly looking forward to presenting a very enjoyable and fun program for everyone to come and watch,” Russell said before the performances. Angel Espino, a 10th grader and firstyear member of the choir, said he was looking forward to seeing the choir’s hard work pay off in a successful Christmas program. He said before the show that he “was very nervous about my first performance because I could miss a note or forget my lines.” Several students had solos this year. Sophomore Andrew Morgan gave a heartwarming performance of “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.” Morgan was nervous to perform his solo. “I had to work hard to get the solo, and I hope I did it well,” he said. “Everyone seemed to enjoy the show.” Senior Kylan Toohey, who is always a hit at musical performances, wowed the audience with “The Christmas Song.” “It was a bit difficult to move around the stage with my ankle broken,” she said. “But I don’t think it affected my singing. I loved getting to sing and get everyone into the Christmas spirit.” Another highlight of “Gifts of the Season” was Matt Hosler, St. Joe’s Latin teacher,and the dancers performing “Mr. Grinch.” Hosler’s performance excited the audience.
“It was so special to sing with all the senior band and choir members at ‘Gifts of the Season.’”
sweet and friendly with everyone.” Dughiero had special visitors recently -Anna Bradshaw when his mother and cousin traveled from Italy to see him; his cousin, a St. Joe alumna, also celebrated her fiveyear reunion at Homecoming. The senior song was also a memoHis family visited the school, came rable performance. to the Homecoming pep rally, attended “I’ve always seen the seniors perform See Culture Clash, Page A8 every year, and I couldn’t wait until I got to perform,” said senior Anna Bradshaw. “It was so special to sing with all the senior band and choir members at ‘Gifts of the Season.’ It’s hard to believe that we’re graduating soon. I’m glad I got to spend this time with my musical friends.” The strings group also performed “Viva la Vida” by Coldplay, among other songs. “The concert was so much work, but I had fun wowing the crowd with my violin,” said sophomore Sarah Miller. “Really, everyone worked so hard to make it come together.” At the end of the show, the audience was surprised by snow falling from the ceiling. It was a happy ending to the Christmas concert, and no one expected the snow. Every year the band, choir, dancers and teachers come together to make a wonderful and memorable show for the whole school. “I’m so glad that we can come together and celebrate Christ’s birth at St. Photo by Miranda Barrett/The Bear Facts Joe,” Morgan said. “It’s such a special Ronnie Russell, the band director at St. Joseph Catholic School, conducts the school band at the annual “Gifts of the Season” holiday program on campus. time. I really can’t wait for next year’s For more photos from the event, see page A8. show.”
INSIDE THIS EDITION
n St. Joe students speak out, A2 n Fall semester exam schedule, A6 n Cheerleading not as easy as it looks, B1
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