Our Lady of the Elms High School • 1375 West Exchange St. Akron, OH 44313 • (330) 867-0880 • http://www.theelms.org/ • December 2012
Holiday Season mood swings and other myths explored by Michelle Chang ‘16 During the holiday season it is a common assumption that you will gain a massive amount of weight due to the holiday treats (weight gain is a side effect of eating holiday treats). Studies have shown that between Thanksgiving and New Year’s people tend to gain weight -- about one to two pounds on average. People also think that the most dangerous day to drive in the U.S. is New Year’s Eve. However, according to a report by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the most dangerous day for drivers is July 4. These false assumptions raise the question: does the suicide rate go up during the Thanksgiving through New Year’s holidays? When students were asked their opinion on this question, the answers varied. According to Laine Miller ‘16, “No, because you’re with your family. But...it does depend on your family situation. Good family, probably not. Bad family...maybe.” Alexis Hassell ‘15 said, “Yes because some people don’t have family to be with. They feel completely alone... so they get depressed.” Studies have shown that depression and anxiety raises the suicide rates during the holidays. This is a result
of holiday cheer increases loneliness and sadness in people who have lost loved ones, or who have high expectations of happiness during the holiday season, only to be disappointed in the end. Others think the increase in anxiety and depression is caused by the stress, exhaustion, and frustration that comes with preparing for the holidays. The media often associates suicides during this time of year as the “holiday blues.” One study found that two out of three newspaper stories about suicide or depression from mid-November 1999 to mid-January 2000, made a relationship between suicides and the holidays, further encouraging this impression. However, a variety of other studies have revealed that there’s no relationship between depression and suicide and the holiday season. In fact, researchers have found that depression rates and suicides actually drop during the winter months, typically being a little lower than average, and rise in the spring and summertime. Some people consider that during springtime, when holiday cheers calm down, those with depression may not feel as fine as the others around them do, thus encouraging suicidal feelings. According to the Center for Disease Control, “the idea
that suicides occur more frequently during the holiday season is a long perpetuated myth.” Of all the months in the year, December averages as the month with the fewest suicides. A study conducted in the state of Minnesota of suicides over a 35 year period reveals that there was no increase before, during, or after the holidays. Contrary to popular belief, depression and suicide rates do not rise around the holidays. The media often mistakenly tends to blame suicides during the holiday season on depression or anxiety. However, studies have shown that people tend to be less likely to commit suicide during the holiday season. This may be due to an increase in emotional support from family and friends. Although there is no scientific evidence that suggests the suicide rate is higher during the holiday season, it should not be assumed that suicides will not occur. Suicides still occur throughout the winter, just not at an increased rate. If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800273-8255. Every person who mentions suicide will not attempt to kill him or herself but anyone who mentions the possibility needs help immediately.
South African pink “panther” found by Aaina Gupta ‘14
The Pink Panther you know and love from the popular movies may, in fact, be in existence- A strawberry-colored, male leopard was seen at the Madikwe Game Reserve in South Africa. When Dean De Villiers, a professional photographer and companion safari guide, spotted this leopard he photographed it and presented his findings to Panthera, a wildcat conservation group. The president of Panthera, Mr. Luke Hunter, said the cause for the pink pigment is a condition known as erythrism. Erythrism is a genetic condition believed to cause production of either too much red or too little dark pigment in the fur of panthers. “It’s really rare – I don’t know of another credible example in leopards,” Hunter said. To which Mr. Deon De Villiers responded, “Of all the big cats, leopard can show the widest variation in color and pattern, but most of the more unusual examples I have only seen in museum collections.” Elms student responses regarding the unorthodox panther ranged from indifferent to disbelieving and astonishment. Lauren Phillips ’16 shrugged her shoulder and said, “I think that’s really cool.” Elizabeth Tipton ’16, who refused to believe the panther existed, said, “Honestly, I think it doesn’t actually exist. It was most likely a story made for publicity.” On the other hand, Katie Landoll ’14 excitedly said, “I hope this sighting will be the first of many cartoon-toreal-life crossovers. I’m rooting for mickey mouse next.” Shelby Stover ’15 excitedly said, “That is so cool; it would be a very awesome, yet very dangerous pet…I want it!” The pink spots on this leopard act as camouflage, which makes it hard for its prey to spot it. Though the idea of a real pink panther sounds extremely implausible, the panther exists and is still alive in South Africa today.
Baby Pink Panther
Maura Farr ‘13 and Rachel Tustin ‘13 portray the mythical holiday moodiness.
Celebrating the Season of diversity by Katie Landoll ‘14 November and December are collectively referred to increasingly as the “holiday season” – and for good reason. Many religions and cultures celebrate important holidays during the winter months. Much like Christmas, these holidays are often religious celebrations that have gained great social significance over the years. Commemorating important historical events in a culture or faith, these celebrations are marked by food, music and symbols unique to the season. Those belonging to the Jewish religion celebrate Hanukkah, which falls anywhere late November through late December. With a name derived from the Hebrew word for “to dedicate”, Hanukkah commemorates the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem. This important holiday in spiritual and family life includes traditions that may date back to around two thousand years ago. Families enjoy customary food, games and prayers unique to the season. Sydnie Rosenfeld celebrates Hanukkah with her family, keeping many classic traditions. “Hanukkah lasts for eight days so my brothers and I take turns lighting the candles and leading the prayer over the menorah. We also play with dreidels to improve our spinning skills. It’s pretty fierce competition, but I happen to be the best in the family... no biggie or anything.” A celebration of community and faith, Kwanza began in the 1960s as the first specifically African-American holiday. Lasting from December 26 to January 1, the holiday celebrates the roots and uniqueness of African-American culture through seven core principles: unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity,
and faith. Kwanza celebrations, observed now by people of many ethnic groups, may include physical symbols that represent the seven principles. Many traditions of the holiday are rooted in African harvest festivals. Gatherings often include traditional music, exchange of gifts, special meals, and displays of art and creativity. Cultures originating in the area surrounding India also celebrate an important festival during this time. Diwali, the Hindu “festival of lights”, typically occurs mid-October to mid-November. Aaina Gupta explains, “During the holidays, my family celebrates Diwali. Diwali is the festival of lights and it celebrates our God’s return to the kingdom after spending 14 years in the jungle.” In a similar way to Hanukkah, candles feature prominently in the celebration of Diwali in both a decorative and symbolic capacity. “We light our driveway and walkway with about 50 candles.” Christmas celebrations also often include traditions specific to a particular culture, nation, or ethnic group. Some Mexican communities celebrate together, beginning the Christmas holiday with a procession by the town’s children. Amanda Fallon’s family celebrates Christmas with Irish food. “After dinner everyone goes up to get trifle - a dessert - that my grandma makes with bird’s custard shipped from Ireland.” In the traditions of some countries, such as France, children leave out shoes rather than stockings for a gift-giver. A traditionally Polish celebration focuses on Christmas Eve just as much as the day itself, with a 12-course meal eaten beside an extra place setting for any unexpected guest. Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas on January 7th, preparing for the feast with fasting and prayer.
Page 2 The Elm Leaf of Our Lady of the Elms High School is a forum for student expression that acts as a mode of education, information and entertainment. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect opinions of any particular interest but those of the writer. The Vantage editorial exclusively reflects the views of the staff. Letters to the Editor will be accepted in person, on the board addressed to “Elm Leaf” or at 1375 W. Exchange St., Akron, Ohio 44313. The staff welcomes and encourages letters, suggestions, complaints and corrections from all readers. The Elm Leaf reserves the right to edit articles and letters to the Editor in the interest of regulating space, and reserves the right to refuse publication of materials that violate staff standards. If requested a writer’s name may be withheld when the letter is published. The Elm Leaf strives for objective, accurate news and commentary. Editors avoid violations involving libel, copyright, privacy, and obscenity.
Staff List
Editor-in-Chief........Mary Frances McGowan ’13 Managing Editor...............Padraigin O’Flynn ’15 News Editor...........................Maggie Drude ’14 Editorial Editor.......................Gabrielle Seed ’14 Features Editor.....................Hadiyah Ahmed ’15 Sports & Leisure Editor..........Marisa Sorboro ’14 Web Editor...............................Jessica Coury ’15 Adviser.............................Nancy J. Brennan ’80
Editorial
December 2012
prison replaces detention in schools If you think it’s awful getting a detention for not wearing any socks to school, a recent lawsuit and investigation in Lauderdale County, Mississippi claims that Meridian City schools use incarceration as a form of punishment for student dress code violations and other minor offenses. The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against Meridian and Lauderdale Public Schools for the heinous crime of denying students their constitutional rights through such punishment. The U.S. Justice Department accused Meridian Schools of violating the eighth amendment which states “no one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment or punishment.” The students were not informed of their Miranda rights, which were created in the 1966 Supreme Court case Miranda vs. Arizona whose outcome now requires police to inform people of their rights at the time of arrest. In some cases, students admitted to the crimes, not knowing that they, indeed, had the right to remain silent. The fact that the students were not informed of said rights is blatantly immoral. Students were driven eighty miles to the juvenile detention center after being arrested based on the incontestably minor accusations by the school. The detention center also violated the student’s rights to due process, which is the law’s requirement that a state must respect all of the legal rights of citizens. The students were held in the detention center for more than fortyeight hours before being arraigned in a hearing, also a blatant rights violation. Routinely the students had not been granted legal representation, and thus, children placed on probation by the Youth Court were often required to serve time in the juvenile detention center. The schools have failed to present probable cause for the allegations and arrests of the students. They stated the reasoning for this is that they are not permitted to share the student records due to a law protecting the confi-
dentiality of the youths who have been through the system. This ludicrous reasoning is the school’s desperate attempt to prove their innocence. “I think detentions are fine, but - I think they crossed just a little bit over the line,” Becca Saepic ’16 said. While on court ordered probation, any school violation by the student can be considered grounds for suspension or expulsion. A survey by the Education’s Department for civil rights shows that minority groups were three and a half times more likely than white students to be suspended or expelled. More than 70 percent of students arrested in school or handed over to law enforcement are of African American or Hispanic descent – showing the racial discrimination that is, unfortunately, still present in today’s society. The American Bar Association Journal claims the school’s policy mainly affects black students with disabilities. This policy is most obviously unjust. This is not the first time the justice system in Mississippi has been under scrutiny. The Juvenile Detention System also received complaints in 2009 about prejudice juvenile systems in which the center allegedly crammed children into cells and tormented them with mace for minor offenses. Sarah Vechik ’13 said, “I think that the system is obviously biased and needs severe reformation.” The officials in Mississippi have failed to cooperate with the eight month long investigation. The defendants in this lawsuit are the city of Meridian, Lauderdale County, the Mississippi Department of Human Services, DHS’s division of Youth Services and two Lauderdale Court Judges. The parents and students involved in this scandal hope the lawsuit will end many forms of discrimination present in society today.
New Year’s Resolutions: Aimless or Achievable? by Madeleine Eicher ’14
Care and feeding of the kilt by Maura Farr ’13
Wearing a uniform every day is the best thing in the world. Don’t get me wrong: I love fashion just as much as the next girl, but my uniform almost gives me a sense of stability in my life. Saying the plaid skirt is a wardrobe staple for an Elms girl is an understatement, considering the fact that from freshman to senior year the average Elms girl wears her plaid skirt for a grand total of 960 days. One might think that such an article of clothing would be kept in pristine condition at all times; such a bright group of girls must go to all lengths to ensure their skirts are neat and tidy, right? Wrong! In case you freshman hadn’t heard….. No one washes their skirts. If you do wash your skirt on a regular basis (1-2 times a week), good for you! Your personal hygiene skills are admirable, and put you in the minority. Uniform care varies depending on the individual and her age. For example, when I was a freshman I was sure to wash my skirt at least twice a week and now only wash my skirt once a week. Why have my washing patterns changed, you might ask? Convenience. As I grow older and my priorities shift from laundry to college applications, I find the extra wash or two to be incredibly inconvenient. Lauren Guido ’13 wholeheartedly agrees, saying “I wash my skirt maybe once a week. It’s just a lot of work removing all of the pens and pencils from my pocket and then putting them all back in.” There are more extreme cases yet! Sarah Ahmed ’13, (who only wears her skirt on dress uniform days) has only washed her skirt once throughout her four years of attendance, and did so only because she smeared Oreo cream on her uniform. We salute you, devoted skirt washers. The personal hygiene you continually maintain is truly admirable. To my fellow cleanly kilt aficionados: your ability to overcome laziness by choosing to operate a washing machine will hopefully serve as an inspiration to your peers.
Every year the same old pattern occurs: in the daze of New Year’s excitement, you make a vague promise to yourself and anyone willing to listen. Each and every December 31 st , people old and young, hyped up on left-over Christmas candy and carbonated-caffeinated beverages, choose a myriad of things to change about themselves. The next morning their enthusiasm is greatly diminished or their resolutions forgotten totally. According to a 2012 issue of the University Of Scranton Journal Of Clinical Psychology, New Year’s resolutions mainly fall into four categories: self-improvement, body image, personal finance, and relationships. While these resolutions make sense and can be achieved, the same article also stated that only 8% of people who make resolutions are successful in achieving them. This large failure rating can stem from a variety of sources. A lack of definition in the resolution can ultimately lead to failure. Plan ahead. People who condition for their sports are more likely to do well and people who study are more likely to ace their tests, much in the same way the above article states that people who have a plan are ten times more likely to succeed with their resolution than those without a plan. “I made a resolution to improve at tennis,” Catherine Kuzmishin, ’14, said. “This worked out pretty well for me because I committed to practicing multiple times a week and played a lot and learned a lot and my game got better.” By making a plan and holding yourself accountable to others you can improve the odds that your goal will be accomplished. Another problem with sticking to a resolution is that motivation generally starts to wane and the resolution burns out. Burn-out can occur for many reasons. Choosing multiple resolu-
tions, not taking baby steps, choosing a resolution which requires the constant help of other people, and not keeping the final goal in mind are all prevalent causes for motivation loss. While certainly frightening and soul-sucking, burn- out is not the end result of all resolutions. The University Of Scranton Journal Of Clinical Psychology states that only 1 in 4 New Year’s Resolutions burnout during the week of December 1-7, and after that almost 50% of resolutions last for six months. Last year Molly Ryan, ’15, made a New Year’s resolution to give up all junk food. “Well, I go to the Elms, so that lasted about two minutes,” Ryan said. Attempting a resolution which requires absolute forbearance from something you enjoy is in most cases doomed to failure. A dependence has developed and that obstacle must be destroyed. Perhaps instead of giving up all junk food, limit the quantity and frequency of eating it. If you eat a bag of chips everyday with your lunch, maybe bring fruit every other day and when you bring junk food, bring less or share with others. Jonathan Edwards, an 18 th century theologian, took resolution-making very seriously. After graduating from college, he took two years to compile 70 resolutions for living which he reviewed once a week for the rest of his life. While this may have helped him achieve his goals and live a life he was happy to lead, research shows that on average, people who complete their New Year’s resolutions are equally as happy as people who give up within six months. While making a New Year’s resolution can be a proactive step toward making yourself the person you want to be, in the end the process is the most important, and that can be started anytime of year.
Happy Holidays! Love, The Elm Leaf Staff
Features
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December 2012
Future careers are abundant for motivated job-seekers By Kelley Gallagher ’14
Due to the United States’ gradually recovering economy, limited opportunities are available to those looking for jobs. Career advisors are suggesting that job hunters should settle with a job as quickly as possible, even if it is temporary; searching for dream jobs comes secondary. Aaina Gupta ’14 said, “I’m planning on going into medicine. I like the subject, but I’m also going into it for practicality. My parents want me to be successful and independent. Originally, I wanted to be a singer or an actress.” When the economy is booming, people are more inclined to follow their dreams and consider a variety of careers. This leads the public to find desired career choices. Conversely, when the economy declines, it has the opposite effect. People choose careers which are sensible to practice, instead of pursuing their hopes and dreams. Because the economy is dynamic, those who are unemployed search for jobs that offer stability. According to the Consumerism Commentary and the US News and World Report’s “Money Careers”, the fields of healthcare, environmental sciences and technology are expected to be in demand in the future.
The necessity for jobs in healthcare is increasing. Jobs as occupational therapists and physical therapists will grow significantly by 2020, because those born during the baby boom are more active than older generation. Both of these jobs often result in an average salary base. Medical assistants currently have low average salaries, but the field is growing quickly and offers room for advancement. Isabella Sheets ’15 said, “I plan on going into the medical field, without a doubt. I’m going into it because I love helping people and would like to be successful. From a doctor’s point of view a lot of time and money is wasted on getting people in to the ER for something that is not serious.” Reliable career choices are abundant in the pharmaceutical field. Pharmacists are qualified to prepare and dispense medicinal drugs. They undergo extensive training. And because many jobs in pharmacy will be needed, pharmacists will receive some of the highest average salaries. The number one spot on “The Ten Best Jobs” of US News and World Report is a registered nurse. The field is competitive but expanding. By 2020, approximately 712,000
positions in the field of registered nursing will need to be filled. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that there will be a twenty-five percent growth in jobs in environment engineering within the next ten years. It’s no secret that Americans are more environmentally conscious now than in years past. With this trend gaining popularity, there will be more demand for environmentallyfriendly products and solutions. Occupations within the field of technology will continue to be abundant. Becoming a computer programmer only requires having an associate’s degree to practice. Computer systems analysts, web developers, database administrators and software developers will also see increasing growth in employment. With easily obtainable requirements and rise in demand, careers in computer science are careers worth considering. In the slow-recovering economy, the unemployed should look for occupations that are in demand and easily obtainable. Perusing a career in the fields of medicine, environmental engineering, and technology will be stable and practical, because of the society’s increasing need.
Thinking of pulling an all-nighter? THINK AGAIN By Elizabeth Tipton ’16
Sleep is a greatly coveted treasure amongst high school students. If the brain was also found to have almost no activity in sleep deprived subjects, teens had it their way, they would soar with the owls at night… and not fly with causing slurred speech among other impediments. the eagles at morning. True to Maria Figliola ’14 has issues the stereotypes, it is a natural with the function of her brain and body condition for teens to desire when she is sleep-deprived. “With so more sleep. Due to a hormonal many sports, clubs, and homework, it’s occurrence corresponding hard to find time to sleep. When I’m with their circadian rhythm, sleep deprived, I feel like I’m practically teenagers generally want to stay dragging myself to each class.” awake into the small hours of Sleep deprivation can also have the morning and sleep until late a drastic effect on testing performance afternoon. and IQ. As reported by a study at All children have heard Loughborough University’s Sleep their parents warning them to go Research Center, a person’s IQ decreases to bed early in order to receive a by one point for every hour short of eight good night’s rest. However, the hours of sleep a night. This makes it real question is: why? Why is a feasible to loose almost twenty points in good night’s sleep such a desired one week. commodity? Why are people Several other effects lassitude can refreshed after having been fully have on the human body are irritability, rested? Observing the brain and memory loss, and impaired judgment. its functions is the first step to The immune system can also be harmed exploring these conjectures. by fatigue. White blood cells, the cells The frontal lobe is the of the immune system responsible for part of the brain most affected fighting off diseases, greatly decrease in by a lack of sleep. This area quantity and activity. of the brain is responsible for Many Elms girls have felt the speech and creative thinking. effects of sleep deprivation. According Sleep-deprived test subjects in to Lexi Axtell ’16, “When I don’t get a study at Bryn Mawr College enough sleep, I can’t focus in class and were reported to have trouble it affects my entire performance as a with speech. These speech student throughout the day.” Laine Miller ’16 expiriences the effects of the lack of a good nitght’s rest during class. impediments included problems The recommended amount of such as stuttering, a slow reading pace, and a monotonous voice. These subjects sleep for teenagers is between 8 1/2 and 9 1/4 hours per night. Between sports, were unable to think of creative, imaginative words and resorted to common, after and before school clubs and homework, there sometimes isn’t a convenient dull phrases. time to sleep. But, it is imperative to get enough sleep in order to improve brain The temporal lobe of the cerebral cortex is involved in auditory and immune function. So, next time a wave of slumber comes upon you, throw perception and the processing of semantics in speech and vision. This area of on your Snuggie® and sleep tight!
E at r i g h t, n o c e l l u l i t e By Skylar Beck ’14
Have your jeans not been fitting you lately? Do you see cellulite on your legs? If so, mislabeled nutrition facts are the culprit. Studies have shown that nutrition facts are allowed to be written within sixteen grams below or above their actual mass. Before consuming foods or drinks, it is imperative to be aware of this deviation. Nutrition labels give a better sense of the ingredients in food, but aren’t always reliable or accurate. Many Elms girls aren’t aware of these inaccurate facts. Sydnie Rosenfeld ’14, on the other hand, has had experience with falsely labeled nutrition facts. “I believe it [inaccurate nutrition facts] is true because of my experience with Vitamin Water. It says how many servings are in the bottle…fifty calories. What they don’t tell you is you only drink fifty calories if you drink half the bottle. I thought you could drink the whole
bottle for fifty calories.” Manufacturers lead society to believe their products contain less or no fat, by rounding down the amount of grams of the constituent in their foods. This is an issue for consumers. If there is purposeful rounding by companies, then people eating these products are misled. Nutrition facts are inaccurate, making manufacturers and companies good at deceiving their buyers. This plays in the favor of these food companies, because deceived buyers means that products will sell with a healthy façade. We’ve all seen the corny commercials and advertisements that weight-loss programs promote to the public. Who knew their products are faulty? Companies that produce weight-loss foods are notorious for promoting false information to their consumers. The competition between the many weight loss companies
makes them desperate to acquire as many customers in the market as possible. Maria Figliola ’14 feels cheated that weight-loss programs falsely advertise the nutrition facts of their foods. She strongly dislikes that weight loss programs can “get away” with lying. “Weight loss programs promote images and beliefs of major weight loss, which is obviously not going to happen within a short period of time. Their food that is advertised doesn’t seem reliable or healthy.” Think twice before eating that newly-bought box of cookies reserved on the shelf in the pantry. As reliable as you think nutrition labels are, they’re faulty. The ingredients included in the nutrition facts are permitted to be sixteen grams bellow or above their true value. It is always good to check the facts about the foods being eaten, but be aware that they’re not what they seem.
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You Go, Elms Girl!
by Micah Spoerndle ’15 Lauren Guido, current President of Social Action Club, senior class Student Council Representative, and Eucharistic minister, has gone above and beyond the simple service requirements of an Elms girl. Having volunteered at 15 community charities in her high school career alone, Lauren has found her passion in life: serving others. Guido’s inspiration for this work is her family. “My grandpa started the Monday Night Meal organization. Even when he had cancer he only missed two Mondays,” said Guido ’13. In high school Lauren hasheld nine leadership positions, including Ambassador’s Club Public Relations officer and Junior Class Student Council Representative, thus proving her power to guide and motivate others. Guido also went camping in a tent for thirty days with the Student Conservation Association in Alaska and Wyoming during the summers before her 11th and 12th grade years. During both mission trips, Guido lived in a national park, hiked a few hours to work, and survived the month without even one shower. The absence of bathing could possibly hinder most girls, but Guido’s strength and perseverance has led her to accomplish this and many other feats. Guido is also known for her enduring athleticism. She participated in Junior Varsity tennis at Brecksville High School, and in track and Varsity soccer at The Elms. In the fall of 2011, Guido biked over one hundred and ten miles through the boroughs of New York City. In another biking experience with Teen Treks, Lauren was one of six teens chosen to bike for eighteen days from Seattle to Vancouver, Victoria, and back to Seattle. “Lauren Guido is the definition of Michele Obama’s Get Fit movement,” said Hannah Rochford ’14, referring to Guido’s dedication to the welfare and fitness of others and herself. Involvements with nature and exercise aren’t her only fortes. Guido has also won a competitive eating contest in her lifetime. Through an organization called Servants for Christ, she competed in an ice cream sandwich eating contest. Competing as the only female, Guido won two rounds by out-eating the men. Guido is definitely an Elms girl when saying that she has a deep hunger for service, literally and figuratively. To top off Guido’s extensive list of services, Guido has participated in the LABRE project, which helps feed the poor and homeless on the streets of Cleveland’s west and east sides, on Fridays for the past four years. At Lauren’s home parish St. Basil the Great Church, Lauren has worked diligently for God along with her community. In 2011, Guido participated in the March for Life in Washington D.C. On another occasion, Lauren slept in a box all night to fully experience the immense pains and troubles of a homeless person. Lauren Guido’s favorite memory at the Elms is “I love all of the special events at the Elms, especially Halloween,” said Guido ’13. Other Elms girls agree that Lauren lights up their day with her positivity and love for her surroundings. “When you walk down the halls, she’s the one person you can always count on to wear a smile and cheer you up with her presence,” Courtney Farber ’15. With Lauren’s dedication to strong athleticism, tremendous amount of hours of service, and overall perkiness in life, colleges will be drooling to add her into their population. Lauren represents the ideal Elms girl: strong-willed, spunky and unwaveringly fabulous! We commend you, power woman! Love, The Elm Leaf
Sports & Leisure
December 2012
Bowling is rewarding recreation
by Emily Petrochuk ‘16 Basketball, volleyball, golf, soccer, tennis, track and field and softball are all sports that are commonly found in your typical high school. Bowling is a sport that is very popular on date nights, or for celebrating the end of a long week with friends.Because bowling is a popular pastime, many people either have belonged or belong to a bowling league. The sport is also included on the Wii game Wii Sports, along with tennis, baseball, boxing, and golf. The Elms is fortunate to have a bowling team with both a Varsity and a Junior Varsity team. Last year the girls, known as the Alley Cats, competed in 12 matches with a record of 2-10. They were led by Captain Amelia Pryzyblski and Elms Physics teacher Patricia Kelley. The team included Amanda Fallon ’14, Lexi Collins ’14, Maria Figliola ’14, Larissa Stefanuik ’13, and Maggie Drude ’14 on Junior Varsity and: Amelia Pryzyblski ’12, Ally Thomas ’13, Emmaline Fisher ’12, and Margaret Roth ’12 on Varsity. People may not think that there are many scholarships available for students who are a part of their school’s bowling program, but if you’re good enough to play on your local league’s team, chances are you’re eligible for a number of scholarships. Most cities, states, and regions also have their own bowling associations and scholarship funds earmarked for participants in their groups, or residents of those areas, so bowling is a good example of a sport where it would be wise to utilize any connections to local leagues and organizations. Local awards often include criteria outside of bowling, including community service, academic achievement, and financial need.
Most larger schools have bowling programs and award scholarships based on talent. As bowling has become more well-known and popular among student athletes, the level of competition has increased for these school-funded scholarships. Much of the funding is controlled by organizations like the NCAA. Because those students awarded scholarships must meet certain GPA requirements, a great amount of emphasis must be placed on not only talent but academic records. An example of a scholarship available to student bowler is the Scholar Athlete Milk Mustache of the Year (SAMMY) Award, which recognizes 25 outstanding high school senior student athletes who represent excellence in academics, athletics, community service and leadership and make the most of their days by grabbing nutrient rich milk with their breakfast. Milk Mustache celebrity judges select 25 winners from across the country to receive a $7,500 college scholarship, an awards ceremony at Walt Disney World and an opportunity to appear in their own special Milk Mustache ad.
Amanda Fallon ‘14
Maria Figliola ‘14
Wolfpack attributes success to team bond
by Anna Simko ‘16 The Our Lady of the Elms 2011-2012 girls’ basketball season ended with applause. After much hard work from the Wolfpack and their coach, Heather Giel, plus the tremendous support of the Elms community, the girls earned a 15-10 record. As another reward for all the hours of strenuous practice and playing, the girls were victorious in their District Title game. “Our program has never had the best athletes but we get along the best and that is why we beat teams,” Coach Giel commented. This bonding certainly proved true when the team dubbed itself “The Wolfpack,” even sporting the t-shirts to prove it. The loss of the seniors from last year’s team weighs on this year’s group, but their outlook is bright. Each girl is moving up in the ranks, honing abilities and skills every day after
school. “The seniors were not dictators, they were leaders,” Coach Giel says. The seniors supported their team and trained other girls to lead the team in their eventual absence. Leaders are made, whether it is by themselves or others. As for the upcoming season, Coach Giel has much to say. “Over the last five years we have worked to build a successful program. Although some people look at success in the number in the win column, we are not among them. We have looked at success as how we grow as athletes, how we grow as coaches, and how we grow as a team. Plain and simple, our team gets along and that’s why we are successful!” Indeed, by these standards the previous season was a huge success. This season will be a success, according to Coach Giel. “Each member of our team...is
a major contributor to our success. In our program it’s not about the wins and losses. We will win games, but for us it’s about the life lessons learned while we are together and the building of lifelong friends. Perseverance, integrity, humility, trust, dedication, overcoming adversity, and what it means to be part of a team [family],” Giel says. Surely the perseverance, integrity, dedication, and trust are tested every time the team gets on the court to practice and play. The girls’ communication and relationships are tried and true, and they become a stronger team and family every day. “Because of our team’s outlook, we will always be successful in our own eyes, and that’s what matters to us. Those are our expectations as a team,” Giel comments. Good luck, Wolfpack!