The Royal Exchange Fall 2014

The Royal Exchange

Fecha del boletín

Newspaper Staff: Editor-in-chief– Caroline Mejia Co-Editor- Heather Hawkins Faculty Editor- Mrs.Shay Contributors: Constanza Ms. Etheredge Sarah Foley Heather Hawkins Catherine Hayes Mrs. Letourneau Kourtney Lipps Caroline Mejia Katie Paradis Victoria Pho Rosie Kaitlyn Schatteman Marissa Sepulveda Isabel Trujillo

In This Issue: Spotlight Saint

2

Homecoming 2014

3

It Was Epic

4

Society’s Farfetched Norm for Beauty

6

Ask Rosie

7

Health

7

Cardboard Castle

8

Poetry

9

Fun Fall Ideas

10

Comic

10

Reviews

11

Word Search

13

Rosary High School Making Service Hours Easy

by Kaitlyn Schatteman It's November now and students are getting closer and closer to December 2, the day service hours need to be turned in. Make service hours fun and easy by doing them for a cause you are passionate about or in a place where you know you can really make a difference. The website Volunteer Match is a great way to look into these opportunities. By becoming a member and by giving the location where you wish to do your hours and for what causes you would like to volunteer for you can receive weekly emails on exciting new ways to get involved. If Volunteer Match isn't helpful to you, look on the Rosary Website, on the Campus Ministry bulletin board, download the app Volunteer Finder, simply search "volunteer opportunities in my town", or try to pay attention to local non-profits signs.

If history, giving tours, marketing, or customer services are of any interest to you, look into local museums. They often offer opportunities for teens to give tours, help with exhibits, and work with visitors. Museums are a great place to volunteer long term, and by doing so, you will probably get to know the people there really well which could eventually result in a great reference letter for college.

If you like working with kids, volunteer at your old school, your church, any local schools holding any camps over school breaks, your sibling's sports team, or your sibling's scout troop. Maybe you like to build things or work on houses. By joining Mission Club you can meet new friends and improve these skills. Habitat for Humanity is a great organization that also focuses on these skills, but additionally offers volunteer opportunities in areas like cooking for the crew or helping to fundraise.

Both Mission Club and Habitat for Humanity build and improve homes for those in need.

If you enjoy spending time with the elderly, volunteer at a Retirement Center, they are always looking for help. They are great places to volunteer that just need people to keep seniors company and help them have some fun. For anyone who wants to volunteer in various areas, try Interact Club. This club tries new projects often and is still looking for new members.

Thanksgiving is also approaching, meaning that food pantries and soup kitchens will need extra help. There are all kinds of ways to get involved on this holiday like: stacking cans, serving food, cleaning up after meals, or making a meal for the Fire/Police Department.

No matter what you enjoy doing, there is always some way to get involved.

Try new volunteer opportunities and share your ideas or experiences with students.

Photo from Rosary High School Facebook

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Spotlight Saint: St. Francis of Assisi

by Sarah Foley Each year, on the fourth of October, many churches in the United States celebrate the feast of St. Francis of Assisi. You may be familiar with this feast because it is usually the day when churches plan a special blessing for pets. But what is the reason for this?

The blessing of the pets takes place on the feast of St. Francis of Assisi because it is part of the Catholic Church’s celebration of the patron saint of animals and the environment. St. Francis founded the Church’s Franciscan order, and he is remembered for his generosity to the poor and his love for animals and nature. Many churches will hold a special service that includes a spoken blessing with holy water, and is usually held outdoors where a large variety of animals can gather.

Because he cared deeply for animals and the environment, this outdoor celebration reminds us of the importance of these things in our lives.

Francis of Assisi

The traditional Blessing of Pets is as follows: “Blessed are you, Lord God, maker of all living creatures. You called forth fish in the sea, birds in the air, and animals on land. You inspired St. Francis to call all of them his brothers and sisters. We ask you to bless this pet. By the power of your love, enable it to live according to your plan. May we always praise you for all your beauty in creation. Blessed are you, Lord our God, in all you creatures! Amen.”

Next time you take your pet to a blessing service, know that you are really celebrating the life of St. Francis of Assisi and his devotion to God and all of God's creations, big and small.

Legend of St. Francis, Sermon to the Birds, located in the upper Basilica of San Francesco d'Assisi

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Homecoming 2014 If you ask any girl at Rosary what the she was looking forward to do during the first month of school, her answer would probably have something to do with that one big event on Saturday, October 4th: Homecoming. Who could blame her? It is a night of dancing with friends and dates and just forgetting about schoolwork and stress.

Homecoming week kicked off with the Bonfire, hosted by Marmion, on Saturday September 27th, just a week be-

fore the dance. Everyone was invited to watch the parade at the football field; after that, they all went over to the bonfire lighting near the field house. Everyone played games, ate food, walked around, or just sat by the fire.

There was even a volleyball tournament that both Marmion and Rosary students were allowed to participate in.

by Marissa Sepulveda

The rest of the week was full of silly spirit days.

The week started with Pajama Day on Monday, and the girls got to practically roll out of bed and go to school.

The next day was Toga Tuesday; all the girls were able to show off their fashionable togas and stay in warm bed sheets at the same time. Then there was Wacky Wednesday, which was most likely the craziest day of the week. Rosary students could show up in the most insane outfit they could think of. Each homeroom elected the wackiest of the class; the girls elected were then featured on stage in the morning assembly in a "wacky -off." After that was Throwback Thursday. Each grade had their own throwback year; seniors dressed as the sixties, juniors dressed as the seventies, sophomores dressed as the eighties, and freshman dressed as the nineties.

“Overall, the whole week was a fun experience...�

Finally, at the end of the week, was Frat Friday. On this day, the girls were able to dress up as preppy schoolboys or just wear a college tshirt. The homecoming football game was also that Friday, and there were many supporters from both Marmion and Rosary. Overall, the whole week was a fun experience, even for freshman, who were new to this entire thing.

During the whole week, girls were waiting in anticipation for Saturday. Not only was it the weekend, but it was also Homecoming.

They got their hair and nails done and wore beautiful dresses. The boys looked sharp, wearing their best suits to match their dates. The theme for Homecoming was Casino Royal, and the decorators did not disappoint. Part of the dance was set apart for dancing, while the other was for playing cards or fakegambling. It seemed like everyone had a great time!

Homecoming weekend has left all girls with one thought left lingering in their mind: "I can't wait till Turnabout!"

Photos from Marmion Academy Facebook

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It Was Epic by Katie Paradis It is cold, forty-nine degrees to be exact. Not my typical race morning, usually I see temperatures in the high sixties. In Edmonton, Alberta, this is how a late August morning feels.

Great, seven am, I cannot feel my toes and I do not know if I packed enough clothes. We are all freezing as my friends on Team USA and I go through our warm up dynamic stretching, joking and laughing as we move across the wet field. I may be cold, but this experience is worth it.

In less than three hours, I will toe the start line of the 2014 Age Group Triathlon World Championships. I have waited over a year for this since I qualified in early August of 2013 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I am not nervous, just excited. My injured foot does not faze me. I will finish. I do not care if I have to limp, walk, or even crawl. I will cross that finish line.

After finishing dynamics, I lounge around on a bench, waiting for my teammates to finish their pre-race shake out runs. I have not run in three weeks, since I crossed the line at Nationals, and I am not about to break that streak just yet. When my teammates return the gymnastics begin. I am not talking about some absurd yoga poses or intense stretching.

I am talking about the personal wrestling matches we all have

with our wetsuits – the water is about twenty degrees Celsius, or sixty-eight Fahrenheit, making this race wetsuit legal. It takes me almost ten minutes, with the help of PAM, shopping bags, and my experienced father, to get my wetsuit on.

Less than thirty minutes to the start.

I am not nervous, only excited to represent my country.

My result is irrelevant; I know I will not place as high as I have in past races. I accepted that fact the moment a boot went on my foot. I am here to have fun.

We get to the start area without any trouble, our greatest source of excitement comes after talking to a cute British boy we met during opening ceremonies the night before. When my wave – all the girls competing in my age group of 16 – 19 – is next up to walk down to the beach I start to feel some butterflies, but the excitement wins over. I am almost giddy. When I get down to the beach I still have about five minutes to wait. The boys go off first at nine-thirty.

“I do not care if I have to limp, walk, or even crawl. I will cross that finish line.”

I am now three minutes out from my first world championships. Back home, it is ten-thirty and I know both my mom and my fourth hour AP Brit Lit class are gathered around computer screens as they await the start of my race. I know this, but my focus is on my race.

The officials call us to the line and I run down the row, selecting a box third from the right. We seem

to wait a lifetime until the horn blares. A lapse in concentration on my part costs me half a second off the line; it is not much, but in video recap, my hesitation is evident.

The swim is chaotic, but remarkably calm compared to my usual races. There is no punching, kicking, headlocks, or ankle pulling. My swim is decent and my focus is centered on getting my wetsuit unzipped and my arms out as I run up the beach towards my bike in transition. My foot does not hurt yet which is a good sign. I kick my legs out of my wetsuit and toss it beside my bike before grabbing my glasses. Another good sign is when I get my helmet buckled on the first attempt, I usually fumble with the clasp and loose precious seconds. I snatch my bike off the rack and head towards the bike out.

My mount is neat and quick, my gearing is set just right for the small hill that leads out onto the bike course. The bike is my strongest leg and according to Craig, my coach, this course is made for me, lots of rollers, and plenty of turns. Triathletes are typically atrocious bike handlers but I have a background of bike racing both on and off the road and my handling skills are a huge advantage. The bike is tough and I am cold. My legs burn with lactic acid. I live for this stuff. As my favorites cyclist, Jens Voigt says “Shut Up Legs;” this is one of my mantras. I round the final 180 within a mile and a half of the entrance into the park. Frustration at the pain in my legs that will not be ignored fuels me during that final stretch.

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It Was Epic

cont.

Coming into the park is my favorite moment of the bike because my dad is about a hundred meters from the dismount line. My dismount is flawless as I move my right hand to my saddle, pushing my bike as I sprint through transition toward my shoes.

I find my spot on the rack, shoving my bike up onto the rack before whipping my helmet off. The compression sock on my right foot is interfering with my ability to pull my shoes on and I quickly tear it off. Usually I wear an ultra-light Nike running shoe with almost no padding and bungee laces. These race flats are lighter and the laces decrease transition time by eliminating the need to tie. My dad, my doctor, and I decided this was a bad idea considering how severe my plantar fasciitis is. I lose about thirty seconds as I tie my shoes but those thirty seconds will be valuable in a different way. I need the support of my usual running shoes.

But, after two and a half k the pain hits. It hurts. It hurts so bad my entire stride changes as I try to minimize the pain of each stride. The finish line keeps me going. I saw a picture of the medals on twitter and I want one, but more than that, I want to say that I finished. This is a big deal.

The last k is excruciating; I can feel my run form falling apart as my body tires.

It all goes away the moment my feet hit the blue of the finishing shoot. A smile stretches my face and all the pain is covered by the adrenalin of the moment. An official from USA Triathlon stands at the final corner holding American flags out to all American racers. I take the flag without a second thought.

Running down the finishing shoot is indescribable. I just remember thinking that I could let my smile show because this was a reason to smile. I held my flag high, waving it was I ran down the shoot and crossed the finish line. Other people must have thought it was impressive because my finishing clip made it into the final three-minute highlight reel of all the races.

“I saw a picture of the medals on twitter and I want one, but more than that, I want to say that I finished.�

I feel great the first two and a half kilometers of the run. I am not pushing myself too hard because I know that the pain in my foot will be crippling once it hits and I want to prolong that as long as possible.

The pain returns the second I cross the line. After a few photos with my teammates, I hobble to the exit.

I do not make it all the way.

My dad runs for my boot as I sit in the grass, drinking my water and chatting with my friends. I have never been so happy to see an inanimate object as I was to see my boot. Putting

it on was instant relief. I could stand without assistance now. A bonus of the boot came when people asked about it. When I told them I raced with plantar fasciitis their respect for me visibly increased along with my sense of pride in my race. I had just finished the World Championships and I was injured.

I would not trade this race for the world, no pun intended.

I may be on crutches now and unable to do much more than aqua jog, but it was worth it to me. Many people think I am crazy for racing, especially when I tell them how not only is a three and a half centimeter section of my plantar fascia inflamed, but also six of the eleven bones in my foot have stress response, but to my family, my friends, and myself, I am just Katie. Yes, I may be crazy, but so are they. They do not see my choice to race injured as stupid or idiotic, they see it as brave. To me, it was my only option and they agree.

Triathlon is who I am. Injuries are just part and parcel of the deal. It happens. I was meant to get injured, but I was also meant to toe that line in Edmonton. It was my toughest season yet as I battled injury after injury from the get go, but I grew. I learned. I became more than I was. Call me crazy, but this is who I am.

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Society’s Farfetched Norm for Beauty

By Constanza “Thigh gaps” “Skinny” “This makes you beautiful.” These words and phrases are society’s only qualifications for a woman’s beauty. Society does not acknowledge and consider one’s personality, essence, or inner beauty. By ignoring these vital aspects to one’s beauty, society is assembling unhealthy and inaccurate standards for the girls of today’s world.

An article in the New York Times titled, “Is There Too Much Pressure on Girls to Have ‘Perfect’ Bodies?” reported that more than eighty percent of ten-year -old girls are afraid of being ‘fat’. Think about it. Tenyear-olds are fourth and fifth graders. When I was that age, I remember not caring about my body.

But because society has ingrained certain standards, young girls do worry about their bodies. Some girlsgrade school through high school-even feel anxiety just to go to school and be judged for who they are based on how they look; when in

reality how they look is not who they are.

Not only do these girls develop anxiety over looks and physical appearances, but they develop unhealthy habits to achieve society’s requirements. Sadly, some young women will go to the extremes of eating disorders in hopes of fulfilling society’s requirements-to simply fit in. And the most influential sources that we are immune to are the modeling, movie, and music industries. Many stars and celebrities set the tone of these extremes for young women. But we can find inspiration in strong women who do not conform to society. Jennifer Lawrence is a fierce woman who depicts this inspiration very well. “I'm never going to starve myself for a part. I don't want little girls to be like, ‘Oh, I want to look like ‘Katniss’ (her character in The Hunger Games), so I'm going to skip dinner. That's something I was really conscious of during training, when

….more than eighty percent of ten-year-old girls are afraid of being ‘fat’….

you're trying to get your body to look exactly right. I was trying to get my body to look fit and strong, not thin and underfed.”

...where when and why did society establish such biased and uncompromising system….

The thing that makes me the most curious is -when, where, and why did society establish such a biased and uncompromising system for something that can never be weighed, averaged, or measured? Because something that we all learn here in our Rosary community is that everyone-regardless of gender, appearance, etc-have dignity that can never be lost.

Our Rosary community overcomes these standards by accepting newcomers, no matter what they look like.

Everyone is here for a reason and everyone is beautiful in their own way. Cheesy, yes, but true. But we are all called to be ourselves and who God calls us to be. So, why try so hard to fit in, when we’re each born to stand out?

DISCLAIMER: This article was not directed toward anyone in particular. It was not a self-esteem talk. It was simply to raise awareness of society and what it has come to.

The author has chosen to remain anonymous.

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Ask Rosie Dear Rosie,

I have a dilemma and don’t know what to do. I have a sports tournament this weekend that will take up my entire weekend. Unfortunately, I have two major assignments due for school as well. I tried to get an earlier start on them but with all my responsibilities, I am not even close to finishing either assignment.If I don’t complete these assignments my grades could really suffer, but if I don’t compete in the tournament I would really be letting my teammates down. I want to participate in the tournament, but if I do, there is no way I’ll complete my homework. I feel like no matter what I choose I am going to be letting someone down. If I ask my parents, they are just going to say that homework comes first. If I ask my teammates, they will just say I have to play in the tournament.

Want to ask Rosie for advice?

Write a question and leave it on locker #658.

Sincerely, Stressed and Confused

Dear Stressed and Confused,

That’s quite a dilemma you have there and one that is common to high school students everywhere. The main point that you are overlooking is that you never mentioned about talking about the problem you face with either your coach or teacher. I would start by talking with your coach. Explain that you are very concerned about being able to complete your assignments. You may be surprised at his or her response. If they have enough players to compete at the tournament, they might be able to excuse you this time from participating. If that isn’t an option, try your teachers next. Maybe they can grant you an extra day if it’s a school function that is preventing you from completing it on time. The main point is to discuss it with the right people and I am sure a resolution can be found.

Yours Truly, Rosie

Health: Flu Season

by Isabel Trujillo

Autumn is a beautiful season, but flu season is not. Coughing, sneezing, and nose-blowing are becoming more common, which should be a great reminder for you to strengthen your immune system! Bring some vitamin C into your diet, use hand sanitizer more often, sneeze and cough into your elbows, wash your hands, and get plenty of rest! This year, prevention and sanitation is crucial to our health. Talk to your doctor if you feel unwell, and stay home from school if you have contracted the flu, common cold, or other type of illness. By playing it safe and being smart, Rosary can avoid the disastrous sniffles and nose blowing during major exams.

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Cardboard Castles Cory lay in her bed, tossing a baseball up at the ceiling. She was trying to hit the yellow Christmas lights strung around her room.

They were left over from the holidays, and she rather liked the soft glow that they gave off, so she had never gotten around to taking them down, despite the fact that it was nearly the end of August.“Why did kids in ’90s movies do this?” She asked her cat Hawk, who was perched on her windowsill. The tabby turned his head to look at her and gave an irritated flick of his tail, as if he were annoyed that his owner had disturbed him from his bird-watching.Cory sighed and threw the ball up at the ceiling again, getting distracted by the way the light shifted as the strings were brushed aside. She didn’t have time to recollect her thoughts and catch the ball, so when it plummeted, it hit her square in the eye. She swore loudly and swung her legs forcefully over the mattress, propelled herself off of it, and stormed into the bathroom. That, at least, got Hawk’s attention. With a concerned meow, he hopped down from his ledge and padded after her.The girl was examining her eye in the mirror, still cursing, although a little more softly this time.“Great,” she muttered, poking around the tender skin and wincing.

“Even when I have nothing to do, I manage to screw that up.” She stepped away from the mirror and looked at Hawk, who had leaped up to the counter. He meowed again.“I suppose you’re right.” She murmured, before scooping him up under one arm and carrying him away, despite his adamant protests that that had not been what he implied. “Oh, shush you.”Cory set him down in the kitchen and let him scamper away to the couch, where he assumed an indignant position and expression. As Cory began fixing the two of them lunch, she glanced out her window and saw the little neighbor girl – Abby – drawing on a cardboard box with a huge marker. A roll of duct tape

by Catherine Hayes

and some scissors lay beside her, as well as a number of other folded boxes and assorted items. Her blonde pigtails bobbed as she scribbled happily.Before she knew it, Cory had jogged out the front door and down the sidewalk to Abby’s house. Even playing pretend with an eight-year-old was better than boredom, she figured. Besides, Abby was a pretty cool kid. Cory had babysat for her a few times before, and that had always been more fun than she’d expected. As she ran outside, she didn’t even care that her short red hair was messy, or that she was wearing sweatpants and a tee instead of her usual high-waisted shorts and tank top. This wasn’t a day for being perfect.“Hey, Abby!” She said with an enthusiastic grin.The child looked up, a large smile blossoming across her face. She jumped up and ran over to Cory with a squeal of delight. “Cory!”Cory grabbed Abby in a large hug and swung her around, as was their customary greeting. When she set the girl down, Abby looked up at her with large blue eyes and a very serious expression. “I’m building a castle.”

She stated, as if it really were an enormous castle of brick and stone and mortar. “If you would like to help, you can, but we can’t mess around.”Cory fought to keep a grin off her face; Abby was always like this about her games – one hundred percent convinced that they were real. “Okay, Abby. I promise.

No playing.”Abby nodded, satisfied by this answer, and smiled again.

“Okay!” She grabbed Cory’s hand and practically dragged her back to the cardboard boxes. “Here’s the main building. It’s got a gate and some places at the top where the knights can hide if they get attacked.” She pointed to battlements that had not yet been cut out.

“Mommy said I couldn’t use the scissors myself, so she has to cut them.” Then her face lit up, as if coming up with an idea. “But you’re an adult! You can use the scis-

sors!”Cory chuckled. “I’m not an adult, but I can use the scissors.”“Okay!” Abby said, handing her the black scissors. Cory nodded and set to the job.They worked in silence, mostly because Abby pointedly ignored any attempt at conversation starters. It was obvious she preferred to concentrate. The entire project took just over two hours, and when they were done, the castle was huge. A total of twentythree boxes had been used, as well as three boxes of tinfoil for the moat, and two spoons for drawbridges. Abby even drew little green crocodiles on the silver expanse of the water.“Hey Cory?” Abby asked, her voice quiet and questioning.“Yes?”“Once you become an adult, do you still have your imagination?” She sounded genuinely troubled.Cory had to think about this. Not very many of the adults she knew exercised their imaginations regularly. Her parents both worked office jobs, so they just sat at a computer and typed all day.

That didn’t seem very imaginative to her.But she didn’t want to tell little Abby, who was so full of hope, that. So instead, she simply answered, “You have to work hard to keep it, but I think you will always have it.”Abby nodded, satisfied with this answer. “Okay. Time to play.”

With that, she dove behind her wall and peeked over the top of it.

“You’re attacking, okay?”“Okay.”

Cory said, grinning.And so, the battle began. She crawled around to the very right edge of the castle, but Abby anticipated her move. She rained down pebbles from her catapults, forcing the older girl to retreat. Cory then moved to the left, but still couldn’t get in. Attempt after attempt, Abby repelled her, until suddenly Cory moved too quickly. She vaulted over the walls and tumbled into a somersault behind them, leaping up with a victorious howl. However, she was met with the sounds of a raging battle.

The clashing of steel and scent of burning sulfur was in the air.

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Cardboard Castle Yellow torches burned from stone walls that now towered over her. She glanced down at herself and saw that she was covered in glimmering silver armor, gilded golden around the edges. A sword hung from a scabbard at her hip.She glanced up and saw a large man coming at her, a huge two-handed sword raised above his head. Cory yelped and dodged to the right, ducking just as the weapon sliced the space she’d occupied a second ago. She didn’t give the man time to recover and sprinted away from him, but there was no escape. All around her, people were fighting. She punched a man as he staggered towards her, wincing at the sickening crunch her mailed fist had made when it collided with his face. This sort of thing carried on for some time, until she finally made it to the middle of the

Knot

cont. courtyard.“So we meet again.” A familiar voice called to her. Cory spun around and saw Abby, dressed in shining blue armor, a red crest on her head that marked her as commander. She also somehow knew that their game was still going on.“We do.” Cory answered, moving a little closer. Abby closed the distance, and the two danced around each other in a strange dual. Neither drew their sword, but instead chose to use their hands. They threw punches, but neither landed one until Cory misplaced a step and slipped on a loose cobblestone. She saw a blue metal glove striking towards her, and then stars. “Cory?”

A faint voice called. “Cory, are you okay? I didn’t mean to actually punch you, I’m really sorry, I-” The voice broke off with a small sob.“Hey, hey, I’m okay Abby.”

Cory croaked, obviously not sounding okay.Abby sniffed, but the tears stopped. “I’m really sorry.”Although

her head really was hurting, she would not admit it to Abby. She’d have to find another excuse. “It’s really okay. Hey, what time is it?”“It’s almost 4:00.”“Oh man, I have to get home. I promised my mom I would clean the house, and she gets home soon.” Cory slapped her forehead for added effect, although deeming it a bad idea at the throbbing spikes of pain it sent.“It’s okay. Thank you for playing with me!” Suddenly Abby was all smiles as she leaned forward and hugged Cory.“You’re welcome.” She said with a sincere grin, and walked back to her house.When she got in the front door, Cory immediately grabbed the bottle of Advil from the medicine cabinet and took a few. Then she stopped in the bathroom to check out the damage – two blossoming black eyes, one with more color than a normal eight-year-old girl could account for.

by Heather Rose Hawkins

Fun this is not, spending time in a parking lot?

Not fun. This lot is stuck in this spot.

What? Please, appease the lot- is not, is caught here in this spot, why?

Why knot this spot? over and over again?

Fun? This?

I think not.

Ugh. Why not break this knot? keeping us in this spot? Cannot we tie the ends and make a loophole? Let's try, why not?

It could even be fun.

Let's start here, right in this spot.

Trials and Tribulations

by Heather Rose Hawkins These are my trials and tribulations, and I’ll do with them what I want to.

If I want to.

Do I want to?

These are mine, these trials and tribulations.

Do I want you?

Must I have you?

Mine trials and tribulations break and bleed and- Scars They are Trials and tribulations Do with me what you will.

I am yours; I love you, and you are mine.

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Fun Fall Crafts

by Victoria Pho

The autumn season is here again. If you are having a problem finding decorations, no problem! Homemade items are always a nice touch, and it may give you a chance to try something new.

For this October issue, we have a crochet pattern for a nice little pumpkin that is easy enough for beginners (you can find the link at the end of this article). Other than being a table decoration, you can also make it as a pincushion, a stress ball (because we all need one), stuff it with beans to make it a paperweight, or put some lavender in it. Get creative with it! (pattern by June Gilbank) http://www.planetjune.com/blog/free-crochet-patterns/pumpkin/

Photos from Planet June

Catch a Date

by Caroline

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Books, TV and Music…

Music Review: “This Is All Yours”

by Catherine Hayes On June 9th, British indie band alt-J announced the release of a new album, “This Is All Yours”, on September 22. I was so excited about this that I preordered it in July and began a countdown in August – and let me tell you, I was not let down. There is not one song on this album that I dislike. In fact, I like it so much that

the CD hasn’t come out of the CD player in my car in three weeks since I put it in (go ahead and ask my brother). One of the reasons that I enjoy listening to “This Is All Yours” so much is that alt-J has a unique musical style unlike anyone I have ever listened to before. Their melodies are different, their lyrics are obscure

and ambiguous, and the overall structure of their songs is very untraditional. Even the songs on the same album are very different from each other.

I recommend this album to anyone who is a fan of alternative or indie music and listens to 101.1 (RIP Q87.7), and I give it 4.5/5 stars, simply because my favorite songs don’t last longer.

Book Reviews: Best Book of the Summer

by Mrs. Wollwert

The best book I read this summer is I Am the Messenger by Markus Zusak, author of The Book Thief.

This novel, which is available at the Rosary library, tells the intriguing story of a young taxi driver named Ed who begins to receive anonymous mes-

cause the reader is kept on the edge of his seat trying to figure out, along with Ed, what the letters mean. I would definitely recommend this book that manages to be thought provoking and interesting at the same time to all my students.

sages in the mail. He must decipher the cryptic messages in order to accomplish the tasks included within. Throughout the story, Ed tries to puzzle out who is sending him the messages and for what reason. I loved reading this novel be-

Two Thumbs Up! by Ms. Etheredge Winner of the Pulitzer Prize and named by the Financial Times as the most influential commentator in America, Charles Krauthammer has been honored from every part

of the political spectrum.

For me, Things that Matter is a wonderful collection of Dr. Krauthammer's writings and work over the past thirty years. Not only is Dr. Krauthammer posi-

tively brilliant, but he has the sharpest wit and funniest dry sense of humor of any author I have read in recent years. Two thumbs up!

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Reviews cont.

Historical Fiction George Washington's Secret Six: The Spy Ring That Saved the American Revolution This is an interesting story about six almost or completely unknown names of the American Revolution. The authors, Brian Kilmeade and Don Yaeger, conducted and extensive

Classic Book

by Ms. Etheredge

research about events that took place when General Washington had to retreat from New York City in August 1776. Washington correctly judged that he could not adequately respond to a strong British army power, and instead he conceived a plan to

form a secret group of people whose task was to sneak into New York. I think this book has the intrigue of a Sherlock Holmes adventure and the mystery of an Agatha Christie novel. If you like American history and adventure, this is the book for you.

by Mrs. Letourneau

One book I read over the summer was Animal Farm. I have not read it since high school.

Thumbs way up! We need to be reminded that Communism has never and will never work.

Irish Autobiography

by Ms. Etheredge

The Islandman This is the autobiographical account of a fisherman, Thomas O'Crohan who lived on the Great Blasket Island off the southwest coast of Ireland, in the second half of the nineteenth century and beginning of the twentieth century. It was originally written in Irish Gaelic and was later translated into English by Robin Flower.

Amazing Anime!

For years, Japanese graphic novels and television shows have been gaining popularity in the United States. These shows, or anime, are loved for their adorable characters, unique plot and great character arcs. This summer, the second season of a popular "swimming anime" called Free! was released. The thirteen episode season aired from July to September.

Free! Iwatobi Swim Club, the first season, is about three high school students named Haruka, Makoto and Nagisa.

They are childhood friends that met through their local

by Caroline Mejia

aquatic center. After reminiscing about the fun times they had, along with their estranged friend Rin, they decide to start a swimming club at their school. Haruka, Makoto, and Nagisa make new friends and conquer obstacles that challenge their friendship. Together, they learn what it means to "swim free."

In the second season, Free!

Eternal Summer, the gang is back to try and win nationals.

Along with training for competitions, Haruka, Makoto and Rin have to think about what they plan to do after high school. This second season is

a great sequel full of strong friendships, crazy antics, and cute and quirky characters.

Free! is a great anime for swimmers and non swimmers alike. Its characters are easy to relate and sympathize with.

They provide a great example about how one can overcome any obstacle with hard work and determination. Even though this anime is only currently available with English subtitles, it is worth watching and who knows, you may even learn a little Japanese!

Personally, I think Free! is worth missing sleep.

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