Let It Snow! - Convent of the Sacred Heart

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B2 caroline kitchener sports Curling rocks the world An inside look at an extreme Olympic sport asst. features editor There is no better way to release holiday tension than by flinging a 42-pound granite rock across a sheet of solid ice. Household tools morph into weapons as curlers sprint across the ice in a frenzy of frantic “sweeping.” Made famous by vast Olympic media coverage, curling is an extremist sport like no other. T h e goal of curling is similar to that of darts. Players aim their rocks at the the speed of the rock. center of a 12-foot circle. In one “end” (round) of curling, each team will throw eight rocks. Teams score one point by throwing their own rock closer to the center than the rock belonging to the other team. The team with the most points when finished with an “end” is the team whose points get counted on the scoreboard. According to the curling manual published by CurlTech, “normal scoring in an end may be one, two, three, or four rocks. Scores of five, six, and seven are much less common. Scoring all eight rocks is as rare as a hole-inone in golf and many players never see one.” There are four players on each team in curling. Each player throws two rocks per end, alternating with the opposing player from another team. The team captain is called the “Skip.” As captain, the Skip will call the shot by advising the player with an aiming point. Professional curlers sweep the ice in order to control The Skip gives advice similar to the caddy in golf. Like a golf ball, a curling rock will not necessarily travel in a straight line. The rock will curl, but it is at the discretion of the captain to determine which way and to what degree. Dating back to sixteenth century Scotland, the game of curling originated as a relaxed pastime played on frozen ponds in winter. After curling was added to the Olympic program in 1924, it took a while for the sport to catch on. United States curling-awareness grew immensely after the United States male Olympic team won bronze at the 2006 games in Torino, Italy. An Olympic sport unusally dominated by Canada or Norway, this exotic game grew on Americans afteir their unexpected triumph over the colder corners of the world. Since 2006, media coverage of curling in the United States has increased dramatically. Curling will most likely be one of the most popular sports at the 2010 winter Olympic Games in Vancouver. Curling is a sport deeply ingrained with a strong sense of tradition. Rich with the culture of its Scottish heritage, players must abide by a strict code of respect for their opponents. At the beginning of a game, every player shakes hands with each player from the opposing team. Instead of saying “nice shot” or “good play,” curlers will congratulate their teammates and their opponents by saying “nice rock.” stirlingicerink.co.uk Faculty sports fanatics Teachers reveal their favorite sports teams liana khandji staff writer On game day, Convent of the Sacred Heart teachers trade in their red pens for face paint, their textbooks for foam fingers, and their apples for hot dogs and French fries. In many cases it seems as though their passion for sports is almost equal to their passion for teaching. “My loyalty is to the Toronto Maple Leafs,” said Upper School Academic Dean Mrs. Gail Casey. “I grew up in Toronto, and my dad worked as an usher at Maple Leaf Gardens on evenings and weekends. He loved hockey, and it was the best way he knew to see every game. I have very fond memories of the times that he would bring my brothers and me with him to the games,” she said. Upper School math teacher Mr. Bryan Knight and his youth baseball team got a once in a lifetime opportunity during their little league days. “ Even though I am a Boston College Superfan, my loyalty is to the Duke Basketball team. ” - Ms. Samantha Lehn “Having grown up in Chicago, my favorite sports team would definitely have to be the Chicago Cubs Baseball Team, said Mr. Knight. “My baseball team got to walk onto Wrigley field before the game was about to begin to get some tips and pointers from the players. It was one of the coolest experiences of my life.” Some teachers have done their research when it comes to their favorite teams. Upper School Science teacher Mr. Kevin McElroy said, “I have been following the New York Mets since they were called the Amazin’ Mets, and my grandpa used to tease me about it. Back then, I remember the bigger miracle than mankind landing on the moon was the Mets wining the World Series, and that miracle happened in 1969.” Upper School Head of Campus Ministry Mrs. Lori Wilson is another Mets enthusiast. She said, “I love their colors, and their players, especially David Wright, and I am shocked that they are tearing down such a beautiful stadium.” For some teachers, college sports hold the most interest. “Even though I am a Boston College Superfan, my loyalty is to the Duke Basketball team,” said Upper School math teacher Miss Samantha Lehn. “I have always been a fan of Coach K, and I’ll always remember the 1992 Eastern Regional Finals when Duke beat Kentucky at the buzzer.” Some faculty members found that their most memorable childhood moments included going to sports games with their dads. Upper School science teacher Mr. John Paul Reid said, “I will never forget the time my dad took me to a Philadelphia Phillies Baseball game. They were and are my favorite team and despite the fact that they lost that particular game the quality time I spent with my dad is something I will always remember.” Not only did Upper School Head of Community Service Mrs. Kerry Bader enjoy going to the games with her dad, she now does the same with her own kids. “My favorite sports team is the New York Giants,” said Mrs. Bader. “One of my earliest memories is going to Giants games with my dad in the New Giants Stadium.”
clare mccarrick alex mcnulty opinions editor After three long years of high school have passed, the awaited moment has finally arrived. Senior year is here, and you have earned your spot at the top of the school. Naturally, all of the leadership positions should be given first priority to seniors. However, in a society where any leadership position is a coveted aspect of a college resume, one can be sure that it will be a struggle, not only against other seniors, but against underclassmen, to ensure that position. This particularly relates to the leadership position of sports captain. If there are at least two eligible seniors on the athletic team, captains should be decided among the seniors. Holding the position of captain requires authority. As the natural ladder of authority goes, seniors should command the most respect from the younger students and athletes. Captains should also have experience in their sport. If a senior has been a member of the team for four years, she clearly has the most experience on the team. Shouldn’t a captain spot be reserved for a member of the team who has been devoted to the team? However, this has not necessarily been the case regarding sports captains as of recent. The Convent of the Sacred Heart athletic department has a policy of team-wide elections for the team’s captain for the next year, but there are no stipulations regarding age. staff writer vs. lizzy von klemperer New teams offer athletic opportunities Sacred Heart promotes instructional and thirds sports teams “ Some students would rather have more playing time on a Thirds team, but others want to be on the better team even if they’re benched. ” - Sophomore Courtney Schmidt staff writer During sports preseason in the late summer, aspiring athletes can smell the freshly cut grass and hear the apprehensive buzz. Year after year, athletes see their bubbly, s o o n - t o - b e c a p t a i n s , ready for a season of the sport they love. Something that has n e v e r c h a n g e d is that the c a p t a i n s are either always seniors or juniors. A captain has been defined as having traits “including strength, agility, and endurance.” None of these c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s , . however require seniority. Being a member of the junior or senior class may not be a key factor in determining who gets a spot on a varsity team, but the role as captain sports B3 Pro-Con: Seniority’s role in Sacred Heart sports Leadership roles for upperclassmen Giving lowerclassmen a chance Finding a way to reduce stress at Convent of the Sacred Heart is a search in which many students are involved. The creation of thirds and instructional sports teams could be a solution. For students who could not make a varsity or junior varsity level team, instructional sports and thirds teams were developed to give these athletes a chance to practice and play their sport. Instructional sports teams were a new addition to the Convent of the Sacred Heart Upper School last year, created by Athletic Director Ms. Kelly Stone. They were added to the Sacred Heart athletic program to improve the seriousness and level of participation in sports. The creation of thirds and instructional teams all depends on how many people are interested in playing each sport. They also take pressure off of students to always be competing at a high level by allowing them to play the game they are passionate about for pure fun. Sacred Heart also takes pressure off students to make a team by not cutting or excluding anyone from team sports, even if they cannot play at a competitive level. “Even though some juniors may be qualified to be captain, I think that, in a way, it takes away from the authority of the seniors,” said senior Kaitlin Southwick. “If there are several seniors on a team, and a junior is captain, it causes confusion amongst underclassmen.” Holding the position of captains does not always require the most athletic skill. A captain is one who commands respect, leads the team, and encourages everyone to work their best. I think it would be more difficult for a senior to adhere to a younger captain, though it is done quite often. I know that there are numerous students who are not necessarily seniors, who have all the important qualities and would make fantastic captains. However, it is not their last year of high school, so they still have another chance for captain. For seniors, it is our last chance to achieve this leadership position. There is a difference between the two types of teams. Instructional sports, are a demonstration of the sport and focus on how to play the game. Both instructional and thirds teams have their own coaches and practice time. The people participating on instructional teams practice as a group, but do not compete against other schools, Members of the 06-07 varsity softball team meet before a game last year. Softball was one of the sports that introduced an instructional team because of the growing level of interest in the sport. whereas a Thirds team does. For example, during the fall season, the Sacred Heart field hockey team was the only sport that had a thirds team due to the popularity of the sport. They had their own coach and there were about 18 people on the team. The team did have normal practices and games, although they had fewer than the junior varsity and varsity teams. Freshman Samantha Moor, who was on the thirds team for field hockey, said, “I don’t think that students prefer thirds to junior varsity or varsity teams because you don’t get that many games. However, it is a good thing this school has instructional or thirds teams because they can help you improve your skills and still play the sport you want.” Other students took into account the emotions of other people and the desire to have a sufficient amount of playing time. Sophomore Courtney Schmidt said, “I think that it depends on the person. Some students would rather have more playing time on a thirds team, but others want to be on the better team even if they’re benched.” The winter sports do not have any instructional or thirds teams this year. Spring sports, like golf and softball, introduced instructional sports teams last year, a brittany williams welcome change for some students. Junior Iris Longo, a softball player, said, “Some people may prefer being on a thirds team because they may get to play. I would have rather played than been benched, and the coach promised me I would play in the second half of the season, but I didn’t really get to.” Senior Katie Eisenberg had her own opinion on this matter. She said, “I think instructional sports were created to give students a chance if they aren’t ready to play at a varsity level, because cutting them would not allow them to improve. It will prepare them for next year’s tryouts.” has almost always only been awarded to upperclassmen. This is not fair, because every student should receive an equal chance based on physical ability and leadership qualities. While I believe that freshmen and sophomores should become captains more often, it is true that seniors may have more experience playing the sport. Also, team members are more apt to listen to a senior as a captain. Because of the small but significant age difference, a senior captain would be more able to command the attention of a dozen student athletes. Many freshmen are admitted to Sacred Heart every year. Coming from a variety of different schools, these new students are able to bring fresh, new ideas to the team. A newcomer with innovative techniques and tactics is as important as a seasoned veteran. Younger players are a helpful resource that should be valued more by being given the more substantial role as captain. If lowerclassmen were encouraged to become captains, it would make the new freshmen and sophomores feel welcome. Being at the bottom of the food chain can be intimidating. If students from other grades were encouraged to be captains, more underclassmen would join the team. Lowerclassmen could have more athletic skill and be a better leader and organizer then a senior. It is not fair to the team or the student to choose a captain over seniority when a lowerclassman is more capable. Freshmen and sophomores should not make the assumption that only seniors and a few juniors can be captains. Young athletes continued from page B1 in a sport, so they have to start really young,” said senior Takako Hirokawa, who figure skates every day after school. Many parents cite college admission as the reason they push their children onto the playing field or into the swimming pool at such young ages. Scholarships in athletics are often enticing, especially from high-profile schools with expensive price tags on education. “It’s appalling if students start sports young for the college process, but completely “ I find the fact that children are driven to use steroids absolutely appalling. There shouldn’t be that much pressure on them. ” - Sophomore Jenny Traver understandable if students are geniunely interested in the sport they take up,” said Director of College Guidance Mrs. Rachel Boyer. Some high-pressure situations have pushed children as young as eight years old to experiment with steroids, though most steroid use can be found in high school. Msnbc.com conducted a survey from which they concluded that up to 11 percent of high school students have used steroids on at least one occasion. “I find the fact that children are driven to use steroids absolutely appalling. There shouldn’t be that much pressure on them,” said sophomore Jenny Traver. Others argue that they found athletics enjoyable as a child. “I started horseback riding when I was six, but I wanted to and enjoyed it,” said junior Bryar Falvey.
Page 1 and 2: Faculty go crazy for their frozen y
Page 3 and 4: Staff Editorial: the pen is mightie
Page 5 and 6: National Former Senate Majority Lea
Page 7 and 8: eason Heart elyse yoder Along the s
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Page 11 and 12: TAKE A NUMBER Nurse’s Office 60 A
Page 13: SPORTS HIGHLIGHTS Varsity Basketbal
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