The Crusader Newspaper - Cardinal Gibbons High School
The Crusader Newspaper - Cardinal Gibbons High School
The Crusader Newspaper - Cardinal Gibbons High School
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Senior Issue<br />
Volume 10, Issue 7<br />
May 29, 2011<br />
Congratulations Graduates!<br />
11<br />
Twenty<br />
Memories made and shared at Senior Luncheon<br />
Seniors embrace their last on-campus event as a class before graduation<br />
Photo by Rachelle Garbarine/Advancement<br />
Graduating seniors gathered together one<br />
last time at <strong>Gibbons</strong> for the traditional Senior<br />
Luncheon on May 19. <strong>The</strong> latest <strong>Gibbons</strong><br />
alumni, as of graduation today, received<br />
photos and gifts, including their baby picture.<br />
(From top left to bottom right) Jeremy<br />
Donabedian, Andrew Bass, Brooks Edmonds,<br />
Austin Donnald, Nathan Vaughn, Alex Zajdel,<br />
James Hickey, Joe Forbes, and Jack Daly<br />
show evidence of how far they’ve come.<br />
Page design by Copy Editor Haleigh Nelson<br />
Cristina Cabrera<br />
Executive News Editor<br />
Six days after celebrating the end of their high<br />
school classes at the senior picnic, the Class of 2011<br />
gathered for the last time at <strong>Gibbons</strong> to celebrate<br />
their four years together with the annual Senior<br />
Luncheon on Thursday, May 19.<br />
Graduating seniors enjoyed reminiscing and<br />
spending this last time together at school.<br />
“We talked about all of our memories, plans for<br />
the summer, how great everyone looked and the<br />
hilarious baby pictures,” said Abbie Morrissey.<br />
“I really enjoyed being able to talk, hug, and take<br />
pictures with my friends and teachers. It was also<br />
great to see so many parents who came to support us<br />
and help out to put together an amazing day,” said<br />
James Shearin.<br />
“My favorite part was the senior video. It was<br />
so funny seeing all of the baby pictures compared to<br />
our senior pictures and looking back on all the good<br />
times the senior class has had during our time at<br />
<strong>Gibbons</strong>,” said Sarah Callanan.<br />
But the fact this was their last time together at<br />
<strong>Gibbons</strong> began to sink in for many.<br />
“<strong>The</strong> luncheon was kind of bittersweet because it<br />
finally hit me that we were leaving <strong>Gibbons</strong>, and the<br />
next time I go to <strong>Gibbons</strong>, it will be as a visitor and<br />
not a student,” said Callanan.<br />
Check us out online at www.cghsnc.org/newspaper and follow us on Twitter @newspapercghsnc<br />
<strong>The</strong> graduating seniors met in the theatre at<br />
10:15 a.m. Gene Davis ’86 spoke to the class along<br />
with Principal Jason Curtis and Alumni Coordinator<br />
Kirsten Monroe. <strong>The</strong>n the graduating seniors<br />
watched a 48-minute video of photos celebrating the<br />
class and their high school career. Finally, the senior<br />
gift committee showed a video they made explaining<br />
this year’s senior class gift, the Leadership Grant.<br />
After the presentations, the class moved to the gym<br />
for lunch.<br />
As the class entered, many went right to the<br />
poster-sized baby pictures of each graduating senior<br />
which were placed around the gym and tried to<br />
figure out who was who. After everyone was seated,<br />
Assistant Principal for Spiritual Life Father Scott<br />
McCue blessed small San Damiano crosses, which<br />
were distributed to each graduating senior.<br />
After lunch, each soon-to-be graduate received<br />
an envelope filled with photos of themselves at<br />
various service events throughout their four years,<br />
which Director of Outreach Agnes Penny collects<br />
for each class member over their four years. Each<br />
student also received copies of the senior video.<br />
<strong>The</strong> event was a success in the eyes of many of<br />
the Class of 2011.<br />
“It was amazing, a great way to sort of wrap<br />
up my years at <strong>Gibbons</strong>. It definitely exceeded my<br />
expectations,” said Morrissey.
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Crusader</strong> 2<br />
May 29, 2011<br />
Class of 2011 celebrates its last days of high school<br />
See below to find out who is who on the front page<br />
Rachael Lynch-Daniels<br />
hugs Shannon Voelkel on<br />
May 13, their last day of<br />
school.<br />
Paul Yacono and Chris<br />
Hamrick at the Senior<br />
Luncheon on May 19.<br />
Erin Blaser, Christine Prosser, Maddie<br />
Hooper, and Kate Piccola<br />
(l to r) Brian Dini, Olivia Navolio,<br />
Meredith Masteller, Andrew Rinderer,<br />
Carolyn Mathiot, Maddie Hooper, Austin<br />
Yarber, Ali Glaser, Lauren Schaale,<br />
Stephanie Scope, and Rozalia Romocki<br />
prepare to celebrate the last period of<br />
high school.<br />
(l to r) Andrew Eichen, Christopher Winsch, Jude<br />
Mahoney, Robert Deacy, Dan Strief, and Nick Pizzurro<br />
Natalie Gaviria and Sarah Graves<br />
Gregg Kaluza and Josh Teder, each<br />
holding the other’s baby picture.<br />
Robert Deacy and Kim Williams<br />
hug each other on their last day<br />
of school.<br />
Eunece Gallego and Natalie<br />
Mann hug each other at the end<br />
of their last day<br />
Camilla Strazanac and Kyle Schimelfenig<br />
pose with their baby pictures at the senior<br />
luncheon<br />
Ryan McAnallen,<br />
Shannon Voelkel, and<br />
Kim Williams hug each<br />
other at the end of their<br />
last day.<br />
NHS elects new leaders for 2011-2012<br />
Rising seniors ready to take on a larger role and added responsibility<br />
Rachel Pratl<br />
OpEd Editor<br />
From Freshman Welcome to<br />
Christmas Toy Drive, previous National<br />
Honor Society leaders have impacted<br />
the <strong>Gibbons</strong> community through their<br />
many charitable works.<br />
With the graduating seniors<br />
leaving their leadership positions,<br />
rising junior and senior students are<br />
stepping up to replace their roles<br />
throughout the school.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Gibbons</strong> chapter of the<br />
National Honor Society held its<br />
elections on Wednesday, May 11 in the<br />
library.<br />
Rising seniors were selected for the<br />
top four leadership positions. Owen<br />
Zidar was elected as Treasurer, Marc<br />
Graduating seniors return for one last retreat<br />
Photo courtesy of <strong>Gibbons</strong> Retreats<br />
Kairos V retreatants and peer<br />
leaders along with adult leaders<br />
Crista Anders, Andrew Tuttle,<br />
Sister Laura Downing, IHM, and<br />
Lexie Nichols.<br />
Celestini as Secretary, junior Tyler<br />
Zimmerman as 1 st Vice President and<br />
Hunter Smith was elected President.<br />
NHS adviser Dale Foushee, who<br />
has been the NHS adviser at <strong>Gibbons</strong><br />
for the last 17 years, was intrigued by<br />
the results of this year’s elections.<br />
“This is the first time that I can<br />
remember all of the officers being<br />
male,” said Foushee.<br />
Rising juniors elected Karthik<br />
Sundaram as 2 nd Vice President on<br />
May 25. Danny Rosenblum, Allyson<br />
Perez, and Michael Parker also ran for<br />
the position.<br />
New President Hunter Smith is<br />
looking forward to the service activities<br />
the NHS sponsors.<br />
“I enjoy the hard work and<br />
Kristen DeMaria<br />
A&E Editor<br />
Though they were officially<br />
finished with high school, some<br />
seniors chose to extend their <strong>Gibbons</strong><br />
experience by attending Kairos V, the<br />
final senior retreat of the year.<br />
This retreat took place from May<br />
15 to May 18 at the Short Journey<br />
Center in Smithfield.<br />
Like all the Kairos retreats,<br />
Kairos V was led primarily by senior<br />
peer leaders, with the help of adult<br />
leaders, including teachers Lexie<br />
Nichols, Andrew Tuttle, Sr. Laura<br />
Downing, IHM, and Sean Boyan.<br />
Twenty-five graduating seniors<br />
participated as the retreatants and<br />
many said it was definitely worth<br />
enthusiasm all the members of the<br />
NHS have in every service activity they<br />
volunteer for. Whether it’s the Easter<br />
Toy Drive or Freshman Orientation,<br />
the NHS members always bring an<br />
exuberant vibe. I am always amazed<br />
at the <strong>Gibbons</strong> spirit,” said Smith in an<br />
email interview.<br />
Smith plans to improve the NHS<br />
by encouraging his classmates to get<br />
excited about serving the community.<br />
“I’d like to encourage and motivate<br />
the NHS members so we can be even<br />
more excited about doing our service<br />
projects and helping others,” said<br />
Smith.<br />
New Vice President Tyler<br />
Zimmerman agreed that he, too, enjoys<br />
NHS service activities in the local<br />
community.<br />
it and would highly recommend it to<br />
other students.<br />
“Kairos was an amazing<br />
experience! I was going to back out, but<br />
I went and it was seriously one of the<br />
best decisions I’ve made. I found out<br />
more about myself and God and grew<br />
closer to my peers,” said Nina Mascia.<br />
“Admittedly, I was hesitant to go,<br />
but I am so happy I went and met new<br />
people. It was definitely life changing,”<br />
said Ali Glaser.<br />
Retreats at <strong>Gibbons</strong> create a strong<br />
bond among those in attendance, and<br />
seniors and adults alike found that it<br />
was very difficult to say goodbye on<br />
this final retreat.<br />
“We bonded so well and it was<br />
hard knowing that we wouldn’t see<br />
“My favorite thing about the<br />
NHS is the opportunity to help so<br />
many people through our service<br />
projects. Our Christmas Toy Drive<br />
and our Easter Basket Drive both<br />
help less fortunate children celebrate<br />
the holidays. I always enjoy giving<br />
back to the community through these<br />
projects,” said Zimmerman in an email<br />
interview.<br />
Secretary Marc Celestini added<br />
that he joined NHS to get more<br />
involved in the school.<br />
“I decided to run for NHS because<br />
I wanted to accept a leadership role in<br />
one of <strong>Gibbons</strong> biggest clubs. I thought<br />
it would be a great way to step up and<br />
lead by example,” said Celestini in an<br />
email interview.<br />
[the graduating seniors] in the halls<br />
anymore,” said Director of Retreats<br />
Crista Anders.<br />
An interesting addition to this<br />
year’s Kairos program was that<br />
<strong>Gibbons</strong> alumni from the Class of 2010<br />
helped lead as well. Thomas Graham,<br />
Lucas Edmond, and Maria Cannon<br />
volunteered their own time and helped<br />
lead all four Kairos retreats.<br />
Even though the current seniors<br />
had to say goodbye, now it is time for<br />
the rising seniors to step up to the<br />
plate and prepare for next year’s peer<br />
leading.<br />
“<strong>The</strong> peer leaders were amazing<br />
this year. <strong>The</strong> upcoming seniors have<br />
huge shoes to fill, but I know that they<br />
are up to the challenge,” said Anders.<br />
Page design by Section Editors Cristina Cabrera and Caleb Maloney<br />
Last day photos by Al Drago ‘11/<strong>The</strong> <strong>Crusader</strong>. Senior Luncheon photos by <strong>The</strong> <strong>Crusader</strong> staff. Photo graphic by Copy Editor Haleigh Nelson
may 29, 2011<br />
Annual Italy trip a highlight for seniors<br />
Moira O’Neill<br />
Executive News Editor<br />
Just like every Easter break for the<br />
past 16 years, <strong>Gibbons</strong> students, faculty<br />
and staff traveled together to Italy for<br />
the annual Italy trip.<br />
This year, 44 graduating seniors<br />
and seven faculty members spent nine<br />
days experiencing the culture of Italy.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Italy trip is led by Assistant<br />
Principal for Student Activities Mike<br />
Rogosich, who has gone every year<br />
since he first went as a chaperone 16<br />
years ago. Rogosich said he now feels<br />
that it his responsibility to bring people<br />
on this trip, which in many ways has<br />
changed him.<br />
“I’m obligated to return the favor<br />
to other kids and other people,” said<br />
Rogosich. “And I absolutely love doing<br />
it.”<br />
Students recognized for achievement<br />
Hayley Amanna – Regional Scholastic Art,<br />
Silver Key<br />
Christian Anderson – Drum Line<br />
Zachary Ang – Science Olympiad Medal<br />
Winner<br />
Abigail Baric – FYI Secretary, Lenten Soup<br />
Sales, Dress Down Day Canned Food Drive<br />
Andrew Bass – NHS Executive President,<br />
NHS Service<br />
Ryan Beale – National Latin Exam for<br />
Latin 2, Gold Summa Cum Laude<br />
Celia Bettinsoli – Randolph College<br />
Classics Department Book Award<br />
Erin Blaser – Retreats<br />
Sean Brassington – Regional Scholastic<br />
Art, Gold Key, National Scholastic Silver<br />
Key<br />
Kaylee Braswell – National Latin Exam for<br />
Latin 1, Cum Laude<br />
Chase Brewster – Science Olympiad State<br />
MVP, Regional Scholastic Art, Silver Key,<br />
Science Olympiad Medal Winner<br />
Leah Bryson – Visual Art Exchange Young<br />
Artists Exhibit, First Place and Margot<br />
Richter Scholarship, Regional Scholastic<br />
Art, American Visions Nominee, 3 Gold<br />
Keys, National Scholastic American<br />
Visions Award<br />
James Butler – Coffee House, <strong>Gibbons</strong><br />
Inklings, Moot Court Most Improved<br />
Team<br />
Ashley Cairns – National Catholic Forensic<br />
League, Moot Court Most Improved Team,<br />
Model UN-1 st Place<br />
Sarah Callanan – NHS Service<br />
Robert Callus – NHS Service<br />
Sean Cannon – Coffee House<br />
Marc Celestini – Latin Music Club,<br />
Robotics Club Inspire Award<br />
Daniela Chiavegatto – NHS Service<br />
Matthew Clarke – Drum Line<br />
Jacob Comello – Science Olympiad Medal<br />
Winner<br />
Megan Comstock – National Latin Exam<br />
for Latin 1, Cum Laude<br />
Madeline Cooke – Science Olympiad<br />
Medal Winner<br />
Angela Curtin – Science Olympiad Medal<br />
Winner<br />
Cristina Curtin – NHS Service, National<br />
Latin Exam for AP Latin, Magna Cum<br />
Laude<br />
John Czuhai – National Latin Exam for<br />
Latin 1, Cum Laude<br />
Kelly Daniels – NHS Service<br />
Erin Davidson-Dyer – Robotics Club<br />
Inspire Award<br />
Sarah Davidson-Dyer – Anime Club,<br />
Catholic Daughters Education Contest,<br />
Robotics Club Inspire Award<br />
Hunter Davis - Yearbook<br />
James Daw – Drum Line<br />
Kristen DeMaria – NHS Service<br />
Patrick Dever – Moot Court Most<br />
Improved Team<br />
Santino DeVita – Student Council<br />
Executive Treasurer<br />
Brandon Dini – Science Olympiad Medal<br />
Winner<br />
Tyler Do – NHS Service<br />
Colin Donahue – Student Council<br />
Executive President<br />
Katie Donahue – NHS Executive 1 st Vice<br />
President, National Honor Society Service<br />
Al Drago – Catwalk for Cancer, Retreats<br />
Haley Drummond - Yearbook<br />
Brooke Eichenlaub – Science Olympiad<br />
Medal Winner<br />
Allison Elias-DeJesus – Regional<br />
Scholastic Art – Gold Key<br />
Stefano Fenu – Robotics Club Inspire<br />
Award, Moot Court Most Improved Team,<br />
Science Olympiad Medal Winner<br />
Christopher Fernandez – Marketing Club<br />
Victoria Fernandez – NHS Service, Miracle<br />
League/Buddy Walk<br />
Austin Fountain – Marketing Club<br />
David Foye – National Latin Exam for<br />
Latin 2, Magna Cum Laude<br />
Jovanna Fuentes - Retreats<br />
Griffin Gast – National Latin Exam for<br />
Latin 2, Magna Cum Laude<br />
Christopher Geaslen – Student Council<br />
Executive Secretary<br />
Clay Geiger – Liturgy Tech Crew<br />
Caroline Geradts – Le Cercle Francais,<br />
NHS Service<br />
Mary Olivia Gerald – NHS Service<br />
Christina <strong>Gibbons</strong> – Regional Scholastic<br />
Art, Gold Key<br />
Jacquelyn Girard – Le Cercle Francais<br />
Allyson Goff – Box-A-Thon<br />
Cindrella Gomes – FYI Vice President,<br />
Lenten Soup Sales, Senior Citizens Prom<br />
Sarah Graves – Le Cercle Francais, Global<br />
<strong>Crusader</strong>s<br />
Michelle Green – Biology Club<br />
Cameron Hahn – Science Olympiad Medal<br />
Winner<br />
Lauren Halk - Retreats<br />
Benjamin Halula – NHS Service, Liturgy<br />
Tech Crew, Retreats<br />
Chandler Hays – Latin Music Club,<br />
Strategy Club<br />
Samuel Heath - Repeater<br />
Maggie Holsinger – Global <strong>Crusader</strong>s,<br />
NHS Executive Treasurer, NHS Service,<br />
Moot Court Most Improved Team<br />
Madeline Hooper – Catwalk for Cancer<br />
Zachary Howard – Marketing Club<br />
Kathryn Johanson – Le Cercle Francais<br />
Chris Johnson – Science Olympiad Medal<br />
Winner<br />
Ariana Keeling – Robotics Club Inspire<br />
Award<br />
Anna Kihm – Regional Scholastic Art,<br />
Gold Key<br />
Amilyn Kober – Book Club<br />
Cori Krause – Science Olympiad Medal<br />
Winner<br />
Sean Lanier – NHS Service, Robotics Club<br />
Inspire Award<br />
Andrew LaPointe – Senior Citizens Prom<br />
Charlotte Leadem – NHS Executive<br />
Secretary, National Honor Society Service<br />
Lauren Long – Regional Scholastic Art –<br />
Silver Key<br />
Joseph Lucido – NHS Service<br />
Avery Lue – Tri-M Honor Society<br />
Christina Mancini – Regional Scholastic<br />
Art, Silver Key<br />
Maggie Manning – NHS Service, Regional<br />
Scholastic Art, Gold Key<br />
Carolyn Mathiot – NHS Service, Retreats<br />
Mary Clare Mazzocchi – United States<br />
Institute of Peace Essay Contest, 1 st Place<br />
State Winner<br />
Katia McClure – Science Olympiad Medal<br />
Winner<br />
Anne McGarry – NHS Service<br />
Jonathan McGee - Retreats<br />
Ashley Meehan - Retreats<br />
Maeve Mense – Strategy Club<br />
Andrew Merritt – Carolina Designer<br />
Craftsmen Student Participant, Regional<br />
Scholastic Art, Gold Key<br />
Kevin Miller – NHS Service<br />
Lauren Miller – Coffee House, Club for the<br />
Easily Amused, <strong>Gibbons</strong> Inklings<br />
Alexis Milner – Lancer Club<br />
Ryan Milroy – FYI President, Dress Down<br />
Day Canned Food Drive<br />
Chloe Mintel – Regional Scholastic Art,<br />
Gold Key<br />
Maggie Mitterling – Retreats, Strategy Club<br />
Amy Morris – Science Olympiad Medal<br />
Winner<br />
Kelly Morrissey – NHS Service, Box-A-<br />
Thon, Retreats<br />
Cal Murphy - Retreats<br />
Morgan Murray – NHS Service, Yearbook<br />
Christopher Noonan – Global <strong>Crusader</strong>s,<br />
Marketing Club<br />
Sean O’Leary – Surf Club<br />
Derek Palinski – National Latin Exam for<br />
Latin 2, Cum Laude<br />
Michael Palmer – Strategy Club<br />
Marina Pappas – Regional Scholastic Art,<br />
Gold Key<br />
Colin Pennington – Strategy Club<br />
Allyson Perez – National Catholic Forensic<br />
League, Science Olympiad Medal Winner<br />
Vincent Perino - Repeater<br />
Anna Pincus – Repeater, Moot Court Most<br />
Improved Team, Science Olympiad Medal<br />
Winner<br />
Nicholas Pizzurro – Student Council<br />
Executive Vice President<br />
Christine Prosser – NHS Service, Retreats<br />
Natalie Protasowicki – Science Olympiad<br />
Medal Winner<br />
Erin Quinn – National Latin Exam for<br />
Latin 1, Magna Cum Laude<br />
Matthew Racher - Retreats<br />
Elizabeth Raines – Regional Scholastic Art,<br />
Silver Key<br />
Peter Rajani – Visual Art Exchange Young<br />
Artists Exhibit, Honorable Mention,<br />
Regional Scholastic Art, 2 Gold Keys<br />
Marybeth Rauh – Catholic Daughters<br />
Education Contest, Regional Scholastic<br />
Art, 2 Silver Keys and 2 Gold Keys<br />
Tyler Re – Biology Club<br />
Daniel Reiland – Repeater, Science<br />
Olympiad Medal Winner<br />
Danielle Repke - – National Latin Exam for<br />
AP Latin, Cum Laude<br />
Jennifer Rilley – Science Olympiad Medal<br />
Winner<br />
Marquette Rocque – National Latin Exam<br />
for Latin 1, Cum Laude<br />
Abigail Rodriguez - Retreats<br />
Richard Rosso – Tri-M Honor Society,<br />
American Math Competition, 10 th grade<br />
school winner<br />
Aaron Ruff – Video Club<br />
Michael Ruff - Retreats<br />
Claudia Rutikowski – Club for the Easily<br />
Amused<br />
Gabrielle Saleh - Retreats<br />
Michael Schnupper – National Latin<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Crusader</strong> 3<br />
Group travels across the world to experience Italian culture<br />
<strong>The</strong> itinerary is jam-packed the<br />
whole trip. From Venice, Rome, or to<br />
smaller towns in Italy, the trip has a<br />
wide range of activities and places to<br />
see.<br />
“It was cool seeing everything<br />
we talked about in religion class. <strong>The</strong><br />
churches were amazing,” said Katie<br />
Donahue.<br />
“My favorite part was St. Anthony’s<br />
Basilica. I loved the atmosphere and<br />
how the Church was alive,” said Maggie<br />
Manning.<br />
<strong>The</strong> trip is not only about<br />
sightseeing, but is also an opportunity<br />
to learn about cultural differences,<br />
and to experience Catholicism in a<br />
completely different way.<br />
“What kids get the most out of it is<br />
[a better] understanding of the Catholic<br />
News<br />
view of the world,” said Rogosich.<br />
<strong>The</strong> group took a break from their<br />
hectic schedule in order to celebrate<br />
Easter Sunday Mass at the Vatican.<br />
For some, this was definitely one of the<br />
highlights of the trip.<br />
“My favorite part of the trip was<br />
Easter Mass at the Vatican,” said<br />
Maggie Holsinger. “It was so cool<br />
seeing Catholics from across the world<br />
to come together to celebrate. It was<br />
special.”<br />
From eating, driving, money and<br />
language, there were many differences<br />
to overcome when traveling to a<br />
different country.<br />
“Our dress stood out one hundred<br />
percent from Europeans,” said<br />
Manning.<br />
Photo courtesy of Maggie Holsinger<br />
Austin Yarber, Maggie Holsinger,<br />
Connor Cloninger, Taylor Mihok,<br />
and Ben Halula pose in front of<br />
the Colosseum.<br />
Students were recognized for their dedication and service to clubs and<br />
organizations at the annual Student Recognition Ceremony<br />
Exam for AP Latin, Magna Cum Laude,<br />
American Math Competition, 12 th grade<br />
school winner and AIME qualifier<br />
Fei-Lin Scruggs – NHS Service, FYI<br />
Publicity, Lenten Soup Sales, Dress Down<br />
Day Canned Food Drive<br />
Winston Senter – Regional Scholastic Art,<br />
Silver Key<br />
Audrey Shannon – NHS Service<br />
Christopher Shannon – Liturgy Tech Crew<br />
James Shearin – Retreats, Yearbook<br />
Daniel Sheehan – NHS Service, Catwalk<br />
for Cancer, Retreats<br />
Lauren Sheplock – NHS Service<br />
Laura Sheridan – Science Olympiad<br />
Regional JV MVP, Science Olympiad<br />
Medal Winner<br />
Alanna Smith – Biology Club<br />
Hunter Smith – NHS Executive 2 nd Vice<br />
President, National Honor Society Service<br />
Paul Spencer – Coffee House<br />
Jack Strickland – National Latin Exam for<br />
Latin 1, Cum Laude<br />
Karthik Sundaram – National Latin Exam<br />
for AP Latin, Silver Maxima Cum Laude<br />
Nicholas Teder – Video Club<br />
Anne <strong>The</strong>len – Congressional Art<br />
Competition, Regional Scholastic Art,<br />
Silver Key<br />
Scott Thieken – Science Olympiad Medal<br />
Winner<br />
Daniel Todd - Retreats<br />
Blair Torres – Regional Scholastic Art, 3<br />
Gold Keys<br />
David Torres – North Carolina Museum of<br />
Art Teen Advisory Council, Congressional<br />
Art Competition<br />
Grace Turner – Box-A-Thon<br />
Nathanial Vaughn – Moot Court Most<br />
Improved Team and Most Improved<br />
Competitor<br />
Dominick Vellucci – National Latin Exam<br />
for Latin 2, Cum Laude<br />
Andrea Velosa – Marketing Club<br />
Emily Venezie – North Carolina State Fair<br />
Lions Club Kettlecorn Booth<br />
Erin Walklet – NHS Service<br />
Nathan Walters – Liturgy Tech Crew<br />
Ryan Wangen – Science Olympiad<br />
Regional Varsity MVP, Science Olympiad<br />
Medal Winner<br />
Andrew Wasilick – Liturgy Tech Crew<br />
Grady Whitsit – Regional Scholastic Art,<br />
Gold Key<br />
Emmary Williams – North Carolina<br />
Museum of Art Teen Advisory Council<br />
Helen Williford – Regional Scholastic Art,<br />
Gold Key<br />
Robby Wilson – Science Olympiad Medal<br />
Winner<br />
Brandon Woolard – National Latin Exam<br />
for Latin 2, Gold Summa Cum Laude,<br />
Science Olympiad Medal Winner<br />
Michael Zanga – Anime Club<br />
Dillon Zarrelli – Drum Line<br />
Caroline Zullo- Moot Court Most Improved<br />
Team, Model UN, 1 st Place<br />
Page design by Section Editors Cristina Cabrera, Moira O’Neil, and Caleb Maloney
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Crusader</strong> 4<br />
May 29, 2011<br />
Helping us understand reactions<br />
to the death of bin Laden<br />
Osama bin Laden’s death at the hands of U.S.<br />
SEALs shocked the world. His passing has perhaps<br />
provided closure to the families who lost their loved<br />
ones during the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks<br />
on <strong>The</strong> World Trade Center in New York City, <strong>The</strong><br />
Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia and the passengers<br />
of United 93, which crashed in Shanksville,<br />
Pennsylvania.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Catholic Church does not believe in gratifying<br />
in the death of another human being, no matter how<br />
evil the person may have been, even if he was, as bin<br />
Laden certainly was, one of the most dangerous and<br />
destructive terrorists in the world.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Crusader</strong> staff, like many, found agreeing on<br />
one position on this historic and important topic very<br />
challenging because our individual opinions vary<br />
so greatly and the implications of it are so hard to<br />
understand.<br />
We all agreed, however, that despite this<br />
important event, the end of our nation’s War on<br />
Terror is still out of our sight.<br />
So instead, to help our community better<br />
understand our own individual responses to bin<br />
Laden’s death, we asked the insight of two of our<br />
<strong>Gibbons</strong> theology faculty on bin Laden’s death. We<br />
hope their insights will help inform our points of<br />
view.<br />
Assistant Principal of Spiritual Life Father<br />
Scott McCue<br />
On Monday, May 2, Fr. Federico Lombardi,<br />
S.J., the director of the Press Office of the Holy See,<br />
released this statement:<br />
“Osama bin Laden, as is known, claimed<br />
responsibility for grave acts that spread division and<br />
hate among the peoples, manipulating religion to<br />
that end. A Christian never takes pleasure from the<br />
A farewell to seniors and<br />
a look forward to next year<br />
Elisabeth McFarland<br />
Editor in Chief<br />
Staff Editorial<br />
fact of a man’s death, but sees it as an opportunity to<br />
reflect on each person’s responsibility, before God and<br />
humanity, and to hope and commit oneself to seeing<br />
that no event become another occasion to disseminate<br />
hate but rather to foster peace.”<br />
I think we have to take seriously what Fr. Lombardi<br />
said. As Catholics, and for that matter as humans, we<br />
can never find pleasure in the death of someone. As evil<br />
as bin Laden was, we cannot take pleasure in his death.<br />
Rather, we must see this as a chance to call to mind<br />
the individual responsibility we have as humans. We<br />
must be instruments of peace each working to make our<br />
world a better place. Bin Laden was a man of hatred but<br />
it is only through our efforts to love one another better<br />
that we will tear down a culture of hatred and violence.<br />
<strong>The</strong>ology teacher Mark Delarosa<br />
My family did not celebrate the death of Osama<br />
bin Laden. My younger brother, Thomas, is currently<br />
stationed in Afghanistan. Our family will celebrate<br />
when he comes home and peace is established in a<br />
region too accustomed to violence and war.<br />
<strong>The</strong>re were over 3,000 murdered on 9/11 and that is<br />
a great tragedy. <strong>The</strong>re have been over 4,000 U.S. troops<br />
killed in the war that continues there. <strong>The</strong>re have been<br />
over 150,000 people from the Middle East who have<br />
died too. <strong>The</strong> death of bin Laden did not bring back one<br />
of those killed. In the words of Pope John Paul II, “War<br />
is always a failure.”<br />
When we turn our “swords into ploughshares”,<br />
then the cause for celebration will be present. May that<br />
day come very soon!<br />
A personal view: relief not joy at the news<br />
By Matt Burnette<br />
Op-Ed Editor<br />
While I did not celebrate Osama bin Laden’s<br />
death, I did feel relief after learning of his demise.<br />
I know that the war on terror is far from over<br />
and that we could now be at a higher risk than ever<br />
from terrorist attacks because of bin Laden’s death.<br />
But, like many people around the world, I feel that a<br />
great burden has been lifted off my shoulders.<br />
I understand the Catholic Church’s stance on<br />
not rejoicing in another human’s death. However,<br />
I cannot help but feel that bin Laden got what was<br />
coming to him.<br />
It’s not that I felt joy in his death, but I felt that<br />
As the new editor-in-chief, I proudly present the<br />
Senior Issue in honor of the Class of 2011. My hope is<br />
that the Class of 2011 will not only enjoy reading this<br />
newspaper after graduation but will also keep it as<br />
one of your mementos of high school.<br />
I would like to thank <strong>The</strong> <strong>Crusader</strong> graduates and<br />
former staff members Al Drago, Danny Todd, Sarah<br />
Graves, Meredith Huml, Gabi Saleh, and Raymond<br />
D’Ottavio for all of your hard work on <strong>The</strong> <strong>Crusader</strong><br />
this year and during your high school careers. <strong>The</strong>re<br />
is no way we could have accomplished what we did<br />
this year without the six of you.<br />
Al, I will miss deadline days with you, and our car<br />
rides home afterward. Danny and Raymond, I will<br />
miss your political discussions with Mr. Jukic during<br />
class (even though we really need to be working on<br />
the newspaper). Sarah, I will miss your amazing<br />
designs and maestro ideas. Gabi, I will miss your<br />
infectious enthusiasm as well as your rather random<br />
stories. And last but not least, I will miss Meredith’s<br />
sense of calmness that I so envied on deadline days.<br />
This year would not have been the same without you<br />
guys<br />
Ṫhe <strong>Crusader</strong> now has to move forward without<br />
you but we have a very enthusiastic group of aspiring<br />
From the Chief<br />
it is right and just that he no longer is able to harm or<br />
plan to harm more innocent people.<br />
<strong>The</strong> damage that occurred during the 9/11 attacks<br />
can never be fully repaired and the many, many<br />
lives that were lost can never be restored, but I hope<br />
that bin Laden’s death may bring peace and a sense of<br />
relief to the people who lost their friends, husbands,<br />
wives, parents and children on that horrible day.<br />
For me, the conflicting emotions when I heard<br />
the news were confusing. But in the end, I’m just glad<br />
that bin Laden is not able to harm any more people<br />
and some people will get some closure.<br />
journalists who are ready to make this newspaper<br />
even better for our student body next year.<br />
One of my goals for the paper is to increase<br />
the newspaper’s online presence next year. Our<br />
newspaper has now posted articles and full issues<br />
online at www.cghsnc.org/newspaper for two years<br />
now, but the problem is that not many of you actually<br />
know about it.<br />
That is a problem that I wish to address next<br />
year. I would love for our newspaper web page to be<br />
at the top of your list when you get home from school,<br />
right next to Twitter and Facebook, to find out up-tothe-date<br />
information about our school.<br />
I have enjoyed the past three years but now I can’t<br />
wait to tackle making decisions for this newspaper in<br />
the hopes that I will make it even better. I know that<br />
this is going to be not only an exciting job, but also a<br />
very challenging one.<br />
However, I am more than ready to step up and<br />
make those important decisions. For all of those<br />
who are returning to <strong>Gibbons</strong> next year, you should<br />
definitely look out for <strong>The</strong> <strong>Crusader</strong>, in print and<br />
online. I see great things in our future.<br />
For the Class of 2011, I wish you all the best in<br />
college. All of you will be missed next year. But I<br />
hope you will check in with us at www.cghsnc.org/<br />
newspaper to keep up with all is going on here at<br />
<strong>Gibbons</strong>!<br />
<strong>Gibbons</strong> Responds:<br />
What are your thoughts on<br />
Osama bin Laden’s death?<br />
Do you think gym should be<br />
required for all four years at<br />
<strong>Gibbons</strong>?<br />
What changes would you like to<br />
see in the Cusader newspaper<br />
next year?<br />
Respond on our website:<br />
www.cghsnc.org/newspaper<br />
or send your Letters to the<br />
Editor to<br />
newspaper@cghsnc.org<br />
Check us out online at:<br />
www.cghsnc.org/newspaper<br />
Dani Chiavegatto<br />
Exec. Managing Editor<br />
Cristina Cabrera<br />
Exec. News Editor<br />
Rachel Pratl<br />
Op-Ed Editor<br />
Kristen DeMaria<br />
A&E Editor<br />
Allison Johanson<br />
Inside & Out Editor<br />
Erin Welsh<br />
Sports Editor<br />
Marisa Casson<br />
Maestro Editor<br />
Follow us on Twitter:<br />
@newspapercghsnc<br />
Elisabeth McFarland<br />
Editor-in-Chief<br />
Moira O’Neill<br />
Exec. News Editor<br />
Caitlin Donovan<br />
Exec. Sports Editor<br />
Matthew Burnette<br />
Op-Ed Editor<br />
Alexandra Hernandez<br />
A&E Editor<br />
Matthew Talbot<br />
Inside & Out Editor<br />
Caleb Maloney<br />
News Editor<br />
Wynn Saleeby<br />
Maestro Editor<br />
Haleigh Nelson<br />
Donna Steinbacher<br />
Copy Editor<br />
Copy Editor<br />
Ellyson Williams<br />
Copy Editor<br />
Dan Jukic<br />
Adviser<br />
Editorial Policy<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Crusader</strong> is the official student newspaper<br />
of <strong>Cardinal</strong> <strong>Gibbons</strong> <strong>High</strong> <strong>School</strong> in Raleigh, North<br />
Carolina.<br />
As a school of the Roman Catholic Diocese of<br />
Raleigh, <strong>The</strong> <strong>Crusader</strong> will not purposefully publish any<br />
material that contradicts the teachings of the Catholic<br />
Church.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Crusader</strong> will endeavour to publish only the<br />
truth, to the best of its ability. <strong>The</strong> <strong>Crusader</strong> will not<br />
purposefully publish any stories that are libelous or<br />
disingenuous nor any images which diverge from the<br />
essential truth of the captured image. Only images legally<br />
obtained or for which permission has been granted will<br />
be published.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Crusader</strong> is the product of class work and<br />
as such is subject to prior review by the adviser and<br />
administration. Regardless, the commentaries contained<br />
herein are the opinions of the newspaper staff only, and<br />
do not necessarily reflect those of the faculty/staff or<br />
administration.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Crusader</strong> editorial board as a whole will be<br />
responsible for determining editorial options, which<br />
represent the opinions of the majority of the editorial<br />
board. No single member of <strong>The</strong> <strong>Crusader</strong> will be held<br />
responsible for editorial content decisions.<br />
All submissions to <strong>The</strong> <strong>Crusader</strong> will be considered<br />
for publication either in print or online but may be edited<br />
for space and content.<br />
Please contact <strong>The</strong> <strong>Crusader</strong> by email at newspaper@<br />
cghsnc.org.<br />
Page design by Op-Ed Editors Rachel Pratl and Matthew Burnette
May 29, 2011<br />
Catholic versus American<br />
perspective on bin Laden<br />
Balancing loyalty to faith and country<br />
By Elly Williams<br />
Copy Editor<br />
Osama bin Laden’s death is a controversial<br />
topic for many because it has<br />
forced us to consider our loyalty to our<br />
faith and our loyalty to our nation.<br />
Should we as Catholics view his<br />
death through the eyes of a Catholic,<br />
or through the eyes of an American?<br />
While I’m glad his death brings relief<br />
and justice, it’s never okay to rejoice<br />
simply in someone’s death.<br />
When I first heard about bin Laden’s<br />
death, I didn’t fully realize what<br />
it meant. All I knew was that the man<br />
who orchestrated one of the most tragic<br />
events in America was finally dead,<br />
and the victims of 9/11 could have<br />
some small reward of justice after ten<br />
long years.<br />
It seems to be a difficult thing to<br />
process for Catholics, since the Catholic<br />
faith does not rejoice in the death<br />
of anyone, even an apparently evil person<br />
such as bin Laden. However, as an<br />
American, it’s so difficult not to rejoice<br />
and to feel proud the strength and intelligence<br />
of our nation prevailed.<br />
Living in such a privileged country<br />
as ours, we easily forget that people<br />
all around the world don’t have access<br />
to basic necessities that we take for<br />
granted.<br />
Water, for example, is so easily<br />
attained in the United States that<br />
it’s hard for many of us to imagine<br />
someone not having clean water, or<br />
simply not having enough water at all.<br />
When North Carolina was<br />
suffering from a drought last summer<br />
everyone tried to conserve water.<br />
Conservation sort of became a fad<br />
and for a few weeks everyone seemed<br />
to really care about it. Sadly, the fad<br />
ended when the drought ended, and<br />
most people returned to their waterwasting<br />
ways.<br />
Now that summer is here again,<br />
we should be even more conscious<br />
of our water use at all times, not just<br />
during droughts.<br />
Last summer, I went on a<br />
delegation to Nicaragua. For part of<br />
the time I was there, I stayed in a rural<br />
town called El Regadio. Our group<br />
Bin Laden rejoiced in his attack on<br />
America, and in the death of so many<br />
Americans. <strong>The</strong>refore, if we rejoice in<br />
his death, some people think we are<br />
no better than he is. I do understand<br />
the Catholic Church’s opinion, but it’s<br />
so hard to not be happy. While we as<br />
Catholics certainly rejoice in at least<br />
the relief his death brings us, it’s a difficult<br />
task to not feel happy in his death<br />
specifically.<br />
<strong>The</strong> families of the victims have<br />
every right to be happy—someone<br />
they love was cruelly murdered by this<br />
man. <strong>The</strong>y deserve a token of justice,<br />
no matter how small. While his death<br />
doesn’t end terrorist threats, it is the<br />
beginning of the end to them. That certainly<br />
brings relief not only for me, but<br />
also for my entire generation.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Bible says an eye for an eye.<br />
But Jesus says to turn the other cheek.<br />
It’s hard to determine which is right. I<br />
am glad he is gone because his death<br />
brought relief and justice, which I feel<br />
is long overdue.<br />
Official White House Photo by Pete Souza from www.whitehouse.gov<br />
President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden, along with<br />
members of the national security team, receive an update on the<br />
mission against Osama bin Laden in the Situation Room of the White<br />
House, May 1, 2011. Seated, from left, are: Brigadier General Marshall<br />
B. “Brad” Webb, Assistant Commanding General, Joint Special<br />
Operations Command; Deputy National Security Advisor Denis Mc-<br />
Donough; Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton; and Secretary<br />
of Defense Robert Gates. Standing, from left, are: Admiral Mike Mullen,<br />
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; National Security Advisor<br />
Tom Donilon; Chief of Staff Bill Daley; Tony Binken, National Security<br />
Advisor to the Vice President; Audrey Tomason Director for Counterterrorism;<br />
John Brennan, Assistant to the President for Homeland<br />
Security and Counterterrorism; and Director of National Intelligence<br />
James Clapper. Please note: a classified document seen in this photograph<br />
has been obscured.<br />
As summer approaches,<br />
it’s time to conserve again<br />
By Moira O’Neill<br />
Executive News Editor<br />
brought our own water to drink, but<br />
showering was a different story. My<br />
host family had running water, but they<br />
didn’t have it 24-7. <strong>The</strong>y also didn’t<br />
have a sink, so any water they needed<br />
came from a hose. Buckets of water<br />
and the river were my only options<br />
when it came to showering. Staying in<br />
El Regadio, even only for a few days,<br />
really changed my perspective on<br />
water.<br />
We all have heard how to conserve<br />
water: take shorter showers, turn of<br />
the water when you brush your teeth,<br />
install low-flow shower heads, the list<br />
goes on and on.<br />
<strong>The</strong> problem isn’t that people don’t<br />
know how to save water. <strong>The</strong> problem<br />
is that for some reason people don’t<br />
care. All around the world people die<br />
because they don’t have clean water,<br />
and here we complain when we can’t<br />
water our lawns.<br />
It’s time to appreciate the natural<br />
resources we have, and make sure<br />
we’re using them wisely.<br />
Next time you turn on a faucet,<br />
think about it.<br />
This article first appeared in the<br />
October, 2010 issue.<br />
Opinion & Editorial<br />
By Karthik Sundaram<br />
Contributor<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Crusader</strong> 5<br />
Rethinking U.S. foreign policy<br />
now that bin Laden is gone<br />
U.S. should work with all nations<br />
Many in the U.S. celebrated the<br />
death of Osama Bin Laden, the leader<br />
of Al-Qaeda. Now some pundits are<br />
using the U.S. government’s accomplishment<br />
as a springboard to reevaluating<br />
the U.S. presence in Iraq and Afghanistan.<br />
In light of this, it is perhaps important<br />
to assess U.S. foreign policy in the<br />
Middle East with respect to its ubiquitous<br />
military intervention.<br />
While the death of Bin Laden and<br />
the institution of democracy in Iraq<br />
exemplify how the strong arm of the<br />
U.S. seems to achieve its ambitions, we<br />
must not overlook the negative consequences<br />
of the War on Terror.<br />
Our nation has not only experienced<br />
the physical and emotional loss<br />
of over 5,000 soldiers but also suffers<br />
a price tag nearing $1.5 trillion since<br />
2001. In addition, the U.S’s failure to<br />
acknowledge a higher world authority<br />
contributes to political turmoil globally.<br />
By neglecting to wait for a U.N.<br />
Security Council resolution to engage<br />
in armed conflict in Iraq, the Bush administration<br />
effectively damaged the<br />
backing of its allies and opened the<br />
door for other nations to defy global arbitration<br />
and to act entirely of its own<br />
accord. In short, our government’s use<br />
of military in the Middle East accomplishes<br />
its own goals yet is quite clearly<br />
outweighed by economic and political<br />
repercussions.<br />
While it is apparent that complete<br />
aggression isn’t the answer, the right<br />
balance of military interference seems<br />
to tip near none. By December 31 of<br />
this year, all U.S. troops will be withdrawn<br />
from Iraq in accordance with an<br />
agreement between the Iraqi and U.S.<br />
governments.<br />
So the U.S. is headed for the polar<br />
opposite in terms of its original military<br />
intervention in Iraq, which did<br />
ultimately result in the removal of Saddam<br />
Hussein’s dictatorship and established<br />
the representative democracy in<br />
place currently.<br />
<strong>The</strong> withdrawal of U.S. troops solidifies<br />
the Iraqi government as an ally<br />
by acknowledging it as an independent<br />
state and at least doesn’t perpetuate<br />
anti-American sentiment among the<br />
Iraqi populace.<br />
It is because of these respective<br />
benefits, the U.S. policy in Afghanistan<br />
should also shift to match that of Iraq:<br />
let’s withdraw our troops as soon as<br />
possible.<br />
<strong>The</strong> issue with withdrawing from<br />
Afghanistan, however, is that groups<br />
similar to the oppressive nature of<br />
Saddam’s regime, such as the Taliban,<br />
pose a threat to U.S national security<br />
as well as that of numerous other nations.<br />
So instead of taking matters into<br />
its own hands yet again, our government<br />
should work to achieve a U.N.<br />
consensus on the future and security of<br />
Afghanistan.<br />
It is a natural tendency for nations<br />
to follow their own agenda, yet this is<br />
realistically only possible for the countries<br />
with the power to do so. And of<br />
those few powerhouses that are able<br />
to pursue their self-interest, other nation’s<br />
expectations could limit these<br />
seemingly imperialistic attitudes.<br />
Russia’s veto of sanctions against<br />
Libya a few months ago in the U.N.<br />
Security Council due to its economic<br />
self-interest clearly demonstrates the<br />
self-concerned mindset, which can be<br />
attributed to the U.S., not only in its<br />
policy in the Middle East, but also its<br />
foreign policy globally.<br />
By working with the U.N. and other<br />
nations, the U.S. would ultimately<br />
be setting a precedent for the rest of<br />
the world and would eliminate, or at<br />
least mitigate, the tendency of states to<br />
act primarily in its own interest.<br />
Address obesity<br />
with mandatory athletics<br />
Advantages outweigh risks and rights<br />
By Donna Steinbacher<br />
Copy Editor<br />
<strong>The</strong> widespread and major issue of<br />
overweight and obese high school students<br />
is a very real problem. Many solutions<br />
have been proposed and some<br />
have been put into action to help solve<br />
this crisis.<br />
Despite these efforts the fact remains<br />
that in 2008 17% of children<br />
ages 2-19 were obese and no doubt<br />
that number is growing. Along with<br />
trying to get cafeterias to serve healthier<br />
food, another fix could be requiring<br />
every high school student to participate<br />
on a sports team.<br />
Why should this be part of education?<br />
Being on a team teaches values<br />
and lessons that are just as important<br />
as those taught in the classroom when<br />
it comes to living in the real world.<br />
First, it will keep teens in shape<br />
and teach them how to stay in shape,<br />
which can prevent obesity when they<br />
are young and when they become<br />
adults. This is not the only advantage<br />
though. Being in shape and not being<br />
obese is bound to raise student’s confidence<br />
and sense of self-worth.<br />
In addition to this, being on a<br />
team teaches many things other than<br />
just physical health. Playing on a team<br />
teaches you how to work with other<br />
people and how to put your trust in<br />
some one else to do what they are supposed<br />
to do. It also teaches teens how<br />
to put themselves out there and learn<br />
to accept that it is okay to fail at something<br />
as long as you learn from it and<br />
put yourself right back out there again.<br />
Being on a team teaches that success<br />
cannot come without discipline<br />
and hard work. Along with building<br />
character and teaching life lessons,<br />
playing on a team builds friendships.<br />
I understand that people may<br />
think that this idea would be a violation<br />
of personal freedom but some<br />
kind of physical education is required<br />
if the problem of obesity among the<br />
young is going to be fixed.<br />
I know that not everyone is very<br />
athletic or great at sports but more<br />
teams than just varsity and junior<br />
varsity could be made so that everyone<br />
can play even if they are not great<br />
at the sport. This will also help teach<br />
young people about how you must always<br />
work to make yourself better.<br />
For students who have other responsibilities<br />
such as a job or taking<br />
care of a younger sibling there could<br />
be multiple practice times in order to<br />
accommodate these responsibilities.<br />
Altogether, the advantages of requiring<br />
participation in a team sport<br />
greatly outweigh the disadvantages<br />
and would be very beneficial to implement<br />
in schools.<br />
Page design by Op-Ed Editors Rachel Pratl and Matthew Burnette
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Crusader</strong> 6 May 29, 2011<br />
Scotty crowned new American Idol<br />
Garner star wows fans in homecoming<br />
Elly Williams<br />
Copy Editor<br />
<strong>The</strong> newest “American Idol” winner,<br />
17-year-old Scotty McCreery, has<br />
quickly become America’s favorite<br />
singer.<br />
Once just the pride of Garner,<br />
North Carolina, his deep voice and alluring<br />
country twang thrust him into<br />
the center of the American spotlight.<br />
After being crowned the new Idol<br />
during Wednesday’s finale, McCreery<br />
hugged his parents, sister, grandparents,<br />
and pastor as he was singing his<br />
first single, “I Love You This Big.”<br />
Scotty’s exceptional talent earned<br />
him the right to a triumphant, fanfilled<br />
homecoming on May 14, put on<br />
by Garner, his hometown.<br />
<strong>The</strong> day of his return, an estimated<br />
30,000 people crowded Lake Benson<br />
Park to hear McCreery sing. But his<br />
day didn’t start there; he had already<br />
been to radio station WQDR 94.7, now<br />
renamed Scotty 94.7, Garner’s AT&T<br />
store, his high school, Garner Magnet<br />
<strong>High</strong> <strong>School</strong>, and Lowe’s Foods, where<br />
he had worked before he was discovered<br />
Ṁy mother, sister and I—along<br />
with hundreds of other fans—followed<br />
him throughout the day, appearing<br />
at several of his destinations. At the<br />
AT&T store, McCreery signed autographs,<br />
shook hands and posed for<br />
pictures before announcing the judges’<br />
song selection for him, Kenny Rogers’<br />
“She Believes in Me.” He didn’t stay too<br />
long before he was surrounded by security<br />
once again and guided back to the<br />
giant “American Idol” SUV limo.<br />
At Garner <strong>High</strong> <strong>School</strong>, McCreery<br />
was emotional as he got out of the limousine.<br />
He cried in what was probably<br />
disbelief and shock as he walked down<br />
the sidewalk filled with screaming fans.<br />
However, “Idol” producers weren’t satisfied;<br />
they made him get back in the<br />
car, drive around the block, and reenact<br />
the arrival. Once again, he walked<br />
back down the sidewalk of screaming<br />
fans. This time, he signed autographs,<br />
including my Scotty McCreery t-shirt.<br />
I told him welcome home, to which he<br />
responded “Oh, thank you so much,” in<br />
his charming southern drawl.<br />
After he finally got inside the school,<br />
he went to the chorus room, bringing<br />
his chorus teacher a bouquet of flowers.<br />
While anxious fans waited outside,<br />
I found my way to the cameramen, who<br />
were standing outside a different door<br />
than all the other fans. My family stood<br />
there talking to the producers when<br />
Scotty casually walked out. Of course,<br />
my sister and I asked for a picture. He<br />
posed with us while my sister gushed<br />
that we lived in Cary and had been voting<br />
for him.<br />
After that, we made our way to<br />
the lawn of the park where we joined<br />
tens of thousands of other Scotty fans.<br />
Three hours before the concert started,<br />
there were already thousands of people<br />
there, toting signs that said things such<br />
as “Scotty is a hotty,” and “Scotty is my<br />
Elvis,” and even “Scotty will you marry<br />
me?”<br />
After hours of waiting for some,<br />
Scotty McCreery’s parade finally began.<br />
<strong>The</strong> procession was slow-going<br />
as Elvis impersonators, Grandmas<br />
for Scotty, Scotty’s baseball team, the<br />
“Blue Crew,” and finally his family and<br />
he waved and entertained the huge<br />
crowd surrounding the parade route as<br />
they made their way to the Lake Benson<br />
Park lawn.<br />
McCreery finally made his way on<br />
stage after an introduction from mayor<br />
Ronnie Williams, who presented Mc-<br />
Creery with the key to Garner. McCreery<br />
repeatedly gave credit to Garner,<br />
and insisted he was “the same Scotty<br />
who left home” back when he first auditioned.<br />
He worked his way though some<br />
songs, including “Your Man” by Josh<br />
Turner. However, he didn’t expect Josh<br />
Turner showing up on stage with him<br />
and singing a duet; he stopped midsong,<br />
bending over in shock and introducing<br />
Josh Turner to the screaming<br />
crowd. When he composed himself,<br />
they sang “Your Man” together, as well<br />
as “Long Black Train.”<br />
<strong>The</strong> concert ended with McCreery<br />
sharing some of his faith with the<br />
crowd. All day, there had been the<br />
threat of rain; the weather channel<br />
showed two storms straddling Garner.<br />
Scotty said he had been praying about<br />
the weather and was looking through<br />
his Bible. He had quickly come upon<br />
Amos 4:7, which says, “And I withheld<br />
the rain from you.” Maybe that was<br />
more than just a coincidence on this<br />
special day for McCreery and Garner.<br />
Some of the colors and styles of prom ‘11<br />
Photo courtesy Elly Williams<br />
Emmary Williams (left), Scotty Mc-<br />
Creery, and Elly Williams (right) pose<br />
for a picture in Garner.<br />
Photo courtesy of Morgan Griffith Photo courtesy of Maddie Hooper Photo courtesy of Britany Thorton<br />
Senior Trends: What Seniors Are Sporting<br />
Jack Rogers<br />
Maxi Dresses<br />
Longchamp Purses<br />
Toms<br />
Photo courtesy of Jack Rodgers<br />
Photo courtesy of Velvet By Graham &<br />
Spencer<br />
Ray-Ban Wayfarers<br />
Photo courtesy of Longchamp<br />
Vineyard Vines Bowties<br />
Photo courtesy of Vineyard Vines<br />
Photo courtesy of Toms<br />
Photo courtesy of Ray-Ban<br />
Riding Boots<br />
Satchels<br />
Tory Burch Flats<br />
Photo courtesy of Dooney & Bourke.<br />
Page design by Section Editors Allie Johanson and Matthew Talbot<br />
Photo courtesy of Tory Burch<br />
Photo courtesy of Tory Burch
MAY 29, 2011 SENIOR SECTION<br />
THE CRUSADER 7<br />
SENIOR SECTION<br />
2011<br />
Cairns and Mazzocchi rise to top of Class of 2011<br />
Valedictorian of 2011<br />
Wynn Saleeby<br />
Maestro Editor<br />
Ashley Cairns, the valedictorian of<br />
the Class of 2011, excelled academically<br />
throughout her four years and also<br />
participated in multiple extracurricular<br />
activities.<br />
During her four years at <strong>Gibbons</strong>,<br />
Cairns took a total of 10 AP classes and<br />
participated in Biology Club, Science<br />
Olympiad, Debate/Forensics, Model<br />
UN, and Moot Court. She also swam<br />
for the <strong>Gibbons</strong> swim team, a year<br />
round swim team, and North Carolina<br />
Aquatic Club.<br />
Out of all her AP classes, Cairns<br />
said the most challenging was AP Art<br />
3D.<br />
“[That] class was really challenging<br />
for me because it required a different<br />
perspective and structure than any<br />
other subject or class I had taken,” said<br />
Cairns, in an email interview.<br />
Cairns appreciates the opportunity<br />
to speak to her fellow classmates and<br />
their families at graduation.<br />
“I am truly honored. I am very<br />
excited to speak on behalf of our class<br />
at<br />
Graduation and hope that I can<br />
represent each of the individuals of our<br />
class,” said Cairns.<br />
Cairns looks forward to attending<br />
the University of North Carolina at<br />
Chapel Hill in the fall.<br />
“[UNC-Chapel Hill] presents<br />
opportunities to explore various<br />
subjects and interests. <strong>The</strong> people are<br />
very welcoming, and there is a place for<br />
everyone, very much like <strong>Gibbons</strong>. For<br />
me, it offered a great opportunity to<br />
explore what I want to do and find who<br />
I want to become, in a supportive, yet<br />
Class of 2011 gives<br />
future students gift of leadership<br />
Dani Chiavegatto<br />
Executive Managing Editor<br />
<strong>The</strong> gift of leadership is what the<br />
Class of 2011 has decided to give back<br />
to <strong>Gibbons</strong> with the traditional senior<br />
class gift.<br />
This year’s gift is unlike any other<br />
in the past because it isn’t anything<br />
tangible. <strong>The</strong> senior class will give<br />
$9,000 to fund the new Leadership<br />
Grant. <strong>Gibbons</strong> students will be able to<br />
apply for funds from the Grant to help<br />
make their future leadership initiatives<br />
possible.<br />
<strong>The</strong> senior gift committee was<br />
made up of six graduating seniors, Erin<br />
Blaser, Gregg Kaluza, Maggie Mitterling,<br />
Christine Prosser, Josh Skow and<br />
Josh Teder.<br />
“I feel like our class has something<br />
different and special within it, we need<br />
a special gift that just keeps on giving,”<br />
said graduating senior Gregg Kaluza.<br />
“Since CGHS flourishes through its<br />
students in the first place, we felt like<br />
it was best to let the students decide<br />
on what they felt the school needed the<br />
most.”<br />
“We decided on this gift first because<br />
it was something that no other<br />
senior class had done before. We also<br />
had to come up with a creative idea<br />
that wasn’t a physical gift because of<br />
[the possible] future school expansion<br />
plans. We didn’t want to dedicate<br />
something to the school and then have<br />
it [potentially removed] in two years,”<br />
said graduating senior Josh Teder.<br />
Since the Leadership Grant is<br />
not something that can be easily presented,<br />
the senior gift committee created<br />
a video which explained exactly<br />
Valedictorian Ashley Cairns and salutatorian Mary Clare Mazzocchi<br />
will both be attending UNC-Chapel Hill.<br />
challenging environment. Also ‘Apple<br />
Chill,’ as [Spanish teacher and UNC-<br />
Chapel Hill graduate Mr. Miguel]<br />
Casas calls it, is a very cool place to live<br />
and learn in,” said Cairns.<br />
Cairns appreciated the help and<br />
support of her parents throughout her<br />
high school career.<br />
“<strong>The</strong>y are such a supportive and<br />
motivational force. I really rely on<br />
them for guidance and support,” said<br />
Cairns.<br />
Cairns advises current <strong>Gibbons</strong><br />
students to work towards their goals<br />
and take advantage of all that <strong>Gibbons</strong><br />
offers.<br />
“Set a goal and try to achieve<br />
it. We are all so blessed at <strong>Gibbons</strong><br />
because there are so many people<br />
and resources at your fingertips,” said<br />
Cairns.<br />
what the grant would do. <strong>The</strong> video<br />
was shown at the Senior Luncheon on<br />
Thursday, May 19.<br />
“We made the video to show<br />
how the Leadership Grant could be<br />
used in the school. We also wanted the<br />
video to have a very fun feel to it and<br />
not be too serious because we felt that<br />
really wouldn’t reflect the nature of<br />
our senior class,” said Teder.<br />
“<strong>The</strong> video gives us a memory that<br />
will never be able to be replaced or<br />
lost,” said Kaluza.<br />
<strong>The</strong> $9,000 will come from the<br />
senior class itself and the hope is the<br />
Grant will grow over time and continue<br />
to fund projects into the future.<br />
“For the next five years, each student<br />
from the graduating Class of ’11<br />
will be asked to donate $20.11 to the<br />
fund,” said senior class moderator<br />
Kirsten Monroe.<br />
“It’s an incentive for future <strong>Gibbons</strong><br />
students to contribute to such an<br />
awesome cause,” said Kaluza. “It will<br />
give the students a chance to be able to<br />
live out their dreams while at <strong>Gibbons</strong>,<br />
and that will not only benefit them,<br />
but others. And not only for today, but<br />
down the road for years to come.”<br />
“<strong>The</strong> gift will be able to help future<br />
students by providing them with<br />
the funds necessary to have their ideas<br />
come to life. This could be anything<br />
from a school mission trip, to creating<br />
a club around the school. <strong>The</strong> possibilities<br />
are really endless when it comes<br />
to what this grant could be used for in<br />
the future,” said Teder.<br />
“I guess you could say we brought<br />
Disney World to <strong>Gibbons</strong> ‘where all of<br />
your wildest dreams come true,’” said<br />
Kaluza.<br />
Salutatorian of 2011<br />
Marisa Casson<br />
Maestro Editor<br />
Mary Clare Mazzocchi, the<br />
salutatorian of the Class of 2011,<br />
balanced a strong work ethic, nine<br />
AP courses, and <strong>Gibbons</strong> Drama<br />
throughout her four years at <strong>Gibbons</strong>.<br />
Being salutatorian means a lot to<br />
Mazzocchi and she is very proud to be<br />
able to speak at graduation.<br />
“My time at <strong>Cardinal</strong> <strong>Gibbons</strong> has<br />
been very special to me, and I’m happy<br />
to have the opportunity to speak about<br />
it at graduation to my classmates and<br />
their families,” said Mazzocchi in an<br />
email interview.<br />
Both Mazzocchi and valedictorian<br />
Ashley Cairns graduated from St.<br />
Thomas More <strong>School</strong> in Chapel<br />
Hill and are excited that they get to<br />
represent their parish and school.<br />
“I’m happy that our success and<br />
the accomplishments of the other STM<br />
kids in our <strong>Gibbons</strong> class reflect so<br />
well on our home parish and school,”<br />
said Mazzocchi.<br />
AP Chemistry was the hardest<br />
class Mazzocchi took during her time<br />
at <strong>Gibbons</strong>, but thanks to the help of<br />
teacher Sr. Janet Schemmel, SND and<br />
her classmates, it was also one of her<br />
favorites.<br />
Outside of her school work,<br />
Mazzocchi played a major role in<br />
<strong>Gibbons</strong> Drama for four years, with<br />
appearances in eight productions,<br />
including playing the lead role of<br />
Anne Frank as a sophomore in<br />
“<strong>The</strong> Diary of Anne Frank” and<br />
most recently as Jojo the Who<br />
in “Seussical…the Musical!” this<br />
spring.<br />
In recognition of her<br />
contributions to the drama program,<br />
Mazzocchi was awarded the <strong>Gibbons</strong><br />
Drama Ensemble Award, given<br />
to seniors in recognition of their<br />
outstanding commitment and<br />
dedication to the program and<br />
school. Her other recognitions<br />
include being named “Most Likely<br />
to be Famous” by her classmates for<br />
the senior superlatives published<br />
in the yearbook and being chosen<br />
to attend the Governor’s <strong>School</strong> for<br />
Drama last summer.<br />
Mazzocchi looks back fondly on<br />
her time in <strong>Gibbons</strong> Drama.<br />
“It was a great program to be<br />
involved in, and I learned so much<br />
and had so much fun participating<br />
in the productions. It was an honor<br />
to work with such a talented and<br />
committed group of people. <strong>The</strong>re<br />
were some pretty difficult weeks,<br />
with late rehearsals, lots of tests,<br />
etc., but for the most part, if I<br />
planned ahead and used all the time<br />
I had, I was able to keep up,” said<br />
Mazzocchi.<br />
Mazzocchi is going to miss many<br />
things about <strong>Gibbons</strong>.<br />
“Being a student at <strong>Cardinal</strong><br />
<strong>Gibbons</strong> brings so many incredible<br />
blessings. From the caring teachers<br />
to the faith and service components,<br />
<strong>Gibbons</strong> is very special, and I will<br />
miss pretty much everything about<br />
it,” said Mazzocchi.<br />
Mazzocchi advises rising seniors<br />
to be thankful for all they have at<br />
<strong>Gibbons</strong> and to get a head start on<br />
college applications.<br />
“Enjoy your last year at <strong>Cardinal</strong><br />
<strong>Gibbons</strong>. You’ll all probably be<br />
excited to move on to college, but<br />
try to appreciate your last moments<br />
here. It’s an awesome school, and<br />
you’ll be sad when you have to<br />
leave. And try to get your college<br />
application essays done as early as<br />
possible!” said Mazzocchi.<br />
Mazzocchi is proud to be this<br />
year’s salutatorian and is proud to<br />
be attending the University of North<br />
Carolina at Chapel Hill in the fall.<br />
Class of 2011 by the numbers<br />
1<br />
Graduate will be attending<br />
an Ivy League school<br />
(Dartmouth)<br />
295<br />
Number of graduates in the Class<br />
of 2011<br />
24<br />
Graduates attending schools in<br />
South Carolina, the most going<br />
to the same state outside of<br />
North Carolina<br />
45<br />
1863<br />
Miles from <strong>Gibbons</strong>, the furthest<br />
school from Raleigh a graduate is<br />
attending (University of Arizona)<br />
273<br />
Graduates attending schools east<br />
of the Mississippi<br />
Graduates attending<br />
87<br />
N.C. State, the most attending<br />
the same school<br />
Graduates going out of state for<br />
college<br />
Page design by Maestro Editor Marisa Casson and Managing Editor Dani Chiavegatto
Pinning Down Se<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Crusader</strong> 8 Senior Section<br />
May 29, 2011<br />
Cori Krause<br />
Q: What is your favorite<br />
memory from <strong>Gibbons</strong>?<br />
A: Last day of school<br />
Q: What advice do you<br />
have for rising seniors?<br />
A: Enjoy your last year. Make<br />
the most of it. Get involved.<br />
Ro<br />
Q: Wh<br />
mem<br />
A: Ev<br />
especially<br />
Q: Wha<br />
fo<br />
A: Ma<br />
becaus<br />
And mak<br />
frien<br />
Dan Sheehan<br />
Q: What is your favorite memory<br />
from <strong>Gibbons</strong>?<br />
A: Performing with Noteworthy<br />
(<strong>Gibbons</strong> glee club) at the pep rally<br />
Q: What are you most looking<br />
forward to about college?<br />
A: Meeting new people. I have had<br />
four years with these people and I<br />
love them, but I’m ready to meet<br />
new people<br />
Nick Pizzur<br />
Q: What advice d<br />
have for rising se<br />
A: Remember to ha<br />
because it’s senior y<br />
still work har<br />
Q: What are you<br />
looking forward to<br />
college?<br />
A: Frisbee in coll
May 29, 2011<br />
Senior Section<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Crusader</strong> 9<br />
nior Memories<br />
bert Liberatore<br />
at is your favorite<br />
ory from <strong>Gibbons</strong>?<br />
erything with soccer<br />
the two state champs.<br />
t advice do you have<br />
r rising seniors?<br />
ke sure you enjoy it<br />
e it goes by very fast.<br />
e sure you are with the<br />
ds you care about.<br />
Nailah Bascombe<br />
Q: What advice do you<br />
have for rising seniors?<br />
A: Don’t stop working until<br />
the end of the year. It doesn’t<br />
end after Christmas break.<br />
Q: What is your favorite<br />
memory from <strong>Gibbons</strong>?<br />
A: Kairos<br />
Three graduates —<br />
Patrick “Packy” Dever,<br />
Maggie Holsinger and<br />
Maribeth Rauh—are<br />
following in their siblings<br />
footsteps to Notre<br />
Dame. All three siblings<br />
are <strong>Gibbons</strong> alumni as<br />
well.<br />
Two graduates,<br />
William Thompson<br />
and Dustin<br />
Yeungling, are<br />
attending Johnson<br />
and Wales, a<br />
culinary institute<br />
One graduate,<br />
Christopher<br />
Dixon, is<br />
attending Duke<br />
University.<br />
ro<br />
o you<br />
niors?<br />
ve fun<br />
ear but<br />
d<br />
most<br />
about<br />
ege<br />
Eileen Nedoma<br />
Q: What is your favorite memory<br />
from <strong>Gibbons</strong>?<br />
A: Too many to count. I liked PLC<br />
(Principal’s Leadership Conference) and working with<br />
<strong>Gibbons</strong> Drama and Earth Day.<br />
Q: What advice do you have for<br />
rising seniors?<br />
A: When you’re going off campus,<br />
check your receipts. I’ve gotten so<br />
many free meals at Moe’s just for doing<br />
a 3 minute survey at the bottom of the<br />
receipt. Lunch gets SO expensive.<br />
For the first<br />
time in 5 years, a<br />
<strong>Gibbons</strong> grad —<br />
Nicholas Becherer<br />
— is attending <strong>The</strong><br />
Citadel<br />
Three students,<br />
Patrocinia Ical<br />
Cuz, Rozalia<br />
Romocki and<br />
Rebecca Daley,<br />
are going out of<br />
the country after<br />
high school<br />
Page design by Maestro Editors Marisa Casson and Wynn Saleeby
May 29, 2011<br />
INSIDE & OUT<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Crusader</strong> 11<br />
Executive Student Council<br />
An inside look at <strong>Gibbons</strong>’ 2011-2012 executive council<br />
President<br />
Jenny Betz<br />
Q: Why did you decided to run for<br />
Executive Student Council?<br />
A: Because I truly love <strong>Gibbons</strong> and the<br />
experiences I have had and I want to<br />
makes sure that everyone else gets to<br />
enjoy it as much as I have.<br />
Q: What are your favorite things to do<br />
on the weekend/downtime?<br />
A: Playing soccer, hanging out with<br />
friends, eating, and shopping.<br />
Vice President<br />
Megan Kunkel<br />
Q: Why did you decided to run for<br />
Executive Student Council?<br />
A: I have always wanted to be an<br />
executive student council member and<br />
I really like being involved in school<br />
activities.<br />
to do the same for the year after me.<br />
Q: Do you have any hidden talents? (If<br />
so explain...)<br />
A: Not really, I’m pretty straight<br />
forward with what I’m good at.<br />
Q: Freshman year, would you have<br />
pictured yourself on Executive Student<br />
Council?<br />
Q: Freshman year, would you have<br />
pictured yourself on Executive Student<br />
Council?<br />
A: No, I could not have. I would have<br />
been too scared to make a speech in<br />
front of the entire student body.<br />
Q: How long did it take you to write<br />
your speech?<br />
A:Haha, a long time. A week of just<br />
brainstorming and 4 or 5 hours to<br />
actually write it.<br />
Q: If you could describe yourself in one<br />
word, what would it be?<br />
A: Vivacious.<br />
Photo courtesy of Landmark yearbook<br />
A: Maybe, because I was on Student<br />
Council Freshman year.<br />
Q: How long did it take you to write<br />
your speech?<br />
A: It took me like an hour including all<br />
of the revisions.<br />
Q: Who is your role model/biggest<br />
inspiration? And why?<br />
A: <strong>The</strong> execs from last year really<br />
paved a strong path and inspired me<br />
Photo courtesy of Landmark yearbook<br />
Treasurer<br />
Ryan Milroy<br />
Secretary<br />
Q: Why did you decided to run for<br />
Executive Student Council?<br />
A: I ran because I love <strong>Gibbons</strong> and<br />
I wanted to be more involved in my<br />
senior year.<br />
Q: Freshman year, would you have<br />
pictured yourself on Executive Student<br />
Council?<br />
A: I don’t know if I would say that<br />
much. I was the freshman class<br />
president but I never thought that far<br />
ahead, mainly because I didn’t want to<br />
get my hopes up if it didn’t happen.<br />
Q: How long did it take you to write<br />
your speech?<br />
A: That’s a funny story actually. My<br />
original speech had pieced together<br />
various jokes and thoughts that<br />
spanned a week. <strong>The</strong> night before<br />
the assembly, I completely re-did my<br />
speech at 3 o’clock, and thus was the<br />
final product.<br />
Q: Who is your role model/biggest<br />
inspiration? And why?<br />
A: I don’t know my role model, but my<br />
biggest inspirations are my parents. I<br />
try to learn from their mistakes in life<br />
and live mine so that I don’t make the<br />
same mistakes. I figure they dedicate<br />
their whole lives to me so the least that<br />
I can do is make them proud.<br />
Q: If you could describe yourself in one<br />
word, what would it be?<br />
A: Single ;)<br />
Q: Do you have any hidden talents?( If<br />
so explain...)<br />
A: I’m really good at making t<br />
hings incredibly awkward. I know just<br />
the wrong thing to say at the right<br />
time...if that makes sense.<br />
Q: What are your favorite things to do<br />
on the weekend/downtime?<br />
A: You mean there’s something else to<br />
do on the weekend other than soccer?<br />
Photo courtesy of Landmark yearbook<br />
Q: Why did you decided to run for<br />
Executive Student Council?<br />
A: I thought that I needed to get more<br />
involved in the school to help out and<br />
really make a difference during my<br />
senior year.<br />
Q: Freshman year, would you have<br />
pictured yourself on Executive Student<br />
Council?<br />
A: No not at all. I never really<br />
considered running for student council<br />
until the beginning of this year.<br />
Q: How long did it take you to write your<br />
speech?<br />
A; About 3 days.<br />
Q: Who is your role model/biggest<br />
inspiration? And why?<br />
A: Probably my parents because they<br />
have helped me throughout the years<br />
at <strong>Gibbons</strong> and supported my decision<br />
to run for student council.<br />
Q: If you could describe yourself in one<br />
word, what would it be?<br />
A: Friendly.<br />
Stas’ Noga<br />
Q: What song describes your life?<br />
A: Till I Get <strong>The</strong>re by Lupe Fiasco<br />
Q: What are your favorite things to do<br />
on the weekend/downtime?<br />
A: I like to spend time with my friends<br />
and travel.<br />
Photo courtesy of Landmark yearbook<br />
Page design by Section Editors Allie Johanson and Matthew Talbot
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Crusader</strong> 12 May 29, 2011<br />
AP artists exhibit<br />
whole year’s work<br />
Artist Spotlight:<br />
Leah Bryson<br />
Graduating senior Leah Bryson<br />
is attending the Rhode Island<br />
<strong>School</strong> of Design in the fall to<br />
continue her training in art<br />
Dani Chiavegatto<br />
Managing Editor<br />
On Friday, May 6, students in<br />
the three AP art classes showcased<br />
their collaboration of projects<br />
throughout the year in the annual<br />
student art reception and exhibit.<br />
Artists invited their parents,<br />
students, and teachers to come<br />
to Plant Ops to view what they<br />
accomplished during the year.<br />
Students chose a concentration<br />
(which is basically a motif) and<br />
based all of their works on that one<br />
idea. Some students chose a more<br />
cerebral approach, while other<br />
chose a more artistic and creative<br />
approach.<br />
“I focused a lot on symbolism<br />
and underlying meanings in each<br />
project, and many of my projects<br />
were based on typical stereotypes<br />
found in society,” said junior Chloe<br />
Mintel.<br />
Selection of artwork was one<br />
of the most challenging parts of<br />
putting the show together.<br />
“Choosing the pieces was<br />
probably the most difficult part for<br />
students in the AP art program. I<br />
chose my pieces based on quality<br />
for the most part, as well as my<br />
favorites I’ve done all year,” said<br />
Mintel. “Other things factor into the<br />
process of choosing them, such as size,<br />
how easily they transport, as well as<br />
how to display them (some of the art<br />
required mannequins to display).”<br />
Other students chose different<br />
approaches, such as a concentration<br />
focused on the environment.<br />
“My concentration was a series<br />
of sculptures of flowers made from<br />
recycled plastic bottles. I wanted to<br />
do something that would be both<br />
interesting to look at and fun to do. I<br />
wanted to make lively, bright flowers<br />
from used, industrial materials; what<br />
most would see as garbage,” said<br />
junior Glenn Driskill.<br />
Students were required to have<br />
at least five works, but many chose to<br />
display more.<br />
“I think it’s great that we all had<br />
the chance to display our work for our<br />
parents and other students to show<br />
them what we’ve been doing all year!<br />
It was great to end this year with a<br />
bang, and I felt the art show was very<br />
successful in doing so,” said Mintel.<br />
“<strong>The</strong> show was done to not only<br />
celebrate the completion of our AP<br />
portfolios, but to display the quality<br />
and talent of the art department with<br />
the rest of the school,” said Driskill.<br />
Out of the thirty students whose<br />
artwork was displayed, seventeen<br />
were seniors and this was their last<br />
exhibit here at <strong>Gibbons</strong>.<br />
Alexandra Hernandez<br />
A&E Editor<br />
Q: How did you get involved in the<br />
arts?<br />
A: I’ve always done art, I honestly<br />
can’t remember a time when I didn’t.<br />
But I guess it would really be going to<br />
art camp in the summers that got me<br />
started.<br />
Q: How has your art experience<br />
been at <strong>Gibbons</strong>?<br />
A: I had a really great art<br />
experience at <strong>Gibbons</strong> in terms of the<br />
teachers I had, the other students I<br />
got to be around, and the medium and<br />
styles that I was exposed to and had the<br />
opportunity to experiment with.<br />
Q: Have you won any awards for<br />
your art while at <strong>Gibbons</strong> or outside of<br />
school?<br />
A: Yep, I’ve won a few scholastic<br />
Honors dancers debut original pieces<br />
Alexandra Hernandez<br />
A&E Editor<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Gibbons</strong> Dance program<br />
staged one last show for the 2010-2011<br />
school year, the Honors Dance Showcase,<br />
on Thursday, May 19.<br />
<strong>The</strong> show included a series of solos<br />
and duets by various sophomores,<br />
juniors, and seniors. However, this<br />
show was unique compared to other<br />
dance shows because honors dance<br />
students got to perform their own<br />
choreographed pieces for their friends<br />
and families.<br />
This show was also special because<br />
it was the last concert that the<br />
graduating seniors participated in as<br />
<strong>Gibbons</strong> students. Rob Callus, Quinn<br />
Czejkowski, Dree Deacon, and Gina<br />
Ursetto performed for the last time<br />
in the <strong>Gibbons</strong> theatre before graduation.<br />
Along with the graduating seniors,<br />
performers included sophomores Abbey<br />
DiSano, Sarah Reynolds, Hannah<br />
Cooke, Laura Matrazzo, and Emily<br />
Schumann; juniors Christianna Carter,<br />
Taylor Filliben, Elizabeth Reeves,<br />
Sabrina Lage, Fei-Lin Scruggs, Dana<br />
Jordan, and Brittany Thornton. All<br />
Photos courtesy Chloe Mintel<br />
Pieces like these, created by rising senior Chloe Mintel, were<br />
displayed at the exhibit.<br />
performed original dances in the<br />
show.<br />
<strong>The</strong> concert included thirteen<br />
numbers and was completely run by<br />
the students, including staging and<br />
lighting. Tech <strong>The</strong>atre students were<br />
each paired up with a dancer to work<br />
out the staging and lighting for their<br />
piece.<br />
“<strong>The</strong> tech theater kids were awesome.<br />
<strong>The</strong>y were focused and very<br />
professional thanks to [technical theater<br />
teacher Ms. Lexie] Nichols and all<br />
of her hard work. <strong>The</strong> lighting turned<br />
out great,” said Filliben.<br />
Juniors Thornton and Filliben’s<br />
duet to the song “Buzzin” by Mann<br />
seemed to be a huge crowd pleaser<br />
and energized the audience. Filliben<br />
and Thornton integrated their different<br />
dance styles to create a unique<br />
duet.<br />
“Brittany and I took our strengths<br />
and combined them to choreograph<br />
our dance. We have diverse dance<br />
backgrounds [including ballet and<br />
hip hop] and attempted to use that to<br />
create a dance that was fun and energetic<br />
for the audience,” said Filliben.<br />
Artwork by Leah Bryson<br />
art awards junior and senior years,<br />
and this year I also won an award<br />
from the visual arts exchange and<br />
the American Visions award from<br />
scholastics.<br />
Q: Was RISD your dream<br />
school?<br />
A: Yeah, I would definitely say<br />
that RISD was my dream school,<br />
probably from the day I visited the<br />
campus.<br />
Q: Are you planning to pursue<br />
art after college?<br />
A: Absolutely, I will be doing<br />
art for the rest of my life, but it<br />
would be wonderful to have a<br />
career in the art world.<br />
Q: What is your favorite kind<br />
of art? What do you like to draw<br />
most?<br />
A: I really like surrealism,<br />
but there are so many kinds and<br />
styles out there, it’s kind of hard<br />
to choose. I like to draw from life<br />
a lot, sketches mostly, or whatever<br />
pops into my head really.<br />
Q: What influences your art<br />
most?<br />
A: <strong>The</strong>re are about a million<br />
things that influence art. Nature,<br />
dreams, people, places, pretty<br />
much life in general, but nature’s<br />
one of the bigger influences for<br />
me.<br />
Q: What is your favorite piece<br />
of yours?<br />
A: My favorite piece<br />
right now is probably one of<br />
concentration pieces I made. It’s<br />
got a lot of texture and was kind<br />
of experimental for me, so it was<br />
great to see how it turned out!<br />
Photo courtesy of <strong>Gibbons</strong> Dance<br />
Graduating seniors Dree Deacon, Christine Prosser, Quinn<br />
Czejowski, Gina Ursetto, Alison Shipkowski, and Lizzy Goudreau<br />
pose outside of the dance room.<br />
Page design by Section Editors Kristen DeMaria and Alexandra Hernandez
May 29, 2011<br />
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT<br />
Plain White T’s rock Lincoln<br />
Kristen DeMaria<br />
A&E editor<br />
Continuing the second leg of<br />
their concert tour, the Plain White T’s<br />
performed at the Lincoln <strong>The</strong>ater in<br />
Raleigh on May 10. This concert tour<br />
was aimed at promoting their latest<br />
album, “Wonders of the Younger,”<br />
which came out at the end of last year.<br />
Prior to the T’s performance,<br />
two opening bands rocked the stage.<br />
Photo by Mary Olivia Gerald<br />
jumped in to the opener “Irrational<br />
Anthem”. Following this, the T’s<br />
continued to raise the energy level in<br />
familiar old tunes like “Revenge” and<br />
“Take Me Away”.<br />
In the midst of their set, the T’s<br />
slowed things down and played the<br />
familiar hits “1,2,3,4” and “Rhythm of<br />
Love”.<br />
Towards the end of the concert,<br />
the stage went dark for a few moments,<br />
and when the lights came back on, Tom<br />
Higgenson (the lead singer for the T’s)<br />
was on a platform in the middle of the<br />
crowd. After the screams of ‘I love you<br />
Tom’ subsided, Tom performed the<br />
classic “Hey <strong>The</strong>re Delilah” acoustically<br />
and encouraged the crowd to sing along<br />
as loud as they could.<br />
As their set came to a close, the T’s<br />
reassured the crowd that after a leg of<br />
their tour in Europe they would return<br />
to Raleigh at the end of summer. This<br />
statement gave the crowd one last rush<br />
of enthusiasm. As hands waved in the<br />
air, people jumped up and down, and<br />
I waved my homemade sign one last<br />
time, the T’s closed the concert with the<br />
title track “Wonders of the Younger.”<br />
<strong>The</strong> first was a singer named Andy<br />
Grammer, whose upbeat single “Keep<br />
Your Head Up” amped up the crowd’s<br />
energy. <strong>The</strong> next act was the band<br />
Parachute, whose claim to fame was<br />
a free download, “Under Control”, on<br />
iTunes last year.<br />
After the two openers finished, the<br />
T’s stepped out on stage and quickly<br />
Summer Concert Calendar<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Crusader</strong> 13<br />
Summer<br />
Playlist<br />
Contributing graduating seniors- Abbey Morrissey,<br />
Chris Dixon, Greg Kaluza, Alanna Smith, Austin<br />
Yarber, Caroline Heller, Cori Krause, Dan Sheehan,<br />
Kathleen Caldwell, Maribeth Rauh, Marilyn Kobelinski,<br />
Patrick Boyle, Rebecca Daley, Robert Liberatore, Zach<br />
Bumgardner<br />
June<br />
5 6 7 8 9 10 11<br />
Beach Boys<br />
Mumford &<br />
Sons<br />
Josh Groban<br />
Greensboro<br />
Charlotte<br />
Raleigh<br />
Ampitheater<br />
12 13 14 15 16 17 18<br />
Katy Perry<br />
RBC Center<br />
Owl City<br />
Charlotte<br />
21 24 25<br />
Keith Urban<br />
RBC Center<br />
July<br />
26 27 28 29 30 1 2<br />
Taylor Swift<br />
Greensboro<br />
Zac Brown<br />
Band<br />
Charlotte<br />
3 4 7 8 9<br />
Tim McGraw<br />
Time Warner<br />
Cable Arena<br />
10 13 14 15 16<br />
O.A.R.<br />
Raleigh<br />
Ampitheater<br />
Lil’ Wayne<br />
Time Warner<br />
Cable Arena<br />
Rihanna<br />
Greensboro<br />
17 20 21 22 23<br />
Wiz Khalifa<br />
Greensboro<br />
NKOTBSB<br />
Greensboro<br />
24 25 26 27 28 29 30<br />
American<br />
Idol<br />
RBC Center<br />
Vans Warped<br />
Tour<br />
Charlotte<br />
Rascal Flatts<br />
Time Warner<br />
Cable Arena<br />
August<br />
Maroon 5 &<br />
Train<br />
Charlotte<br />
2 3 4 5 6<br />
Goo Goo<br />
Dolls<br />
Raleigh<br />
Ampitheater<br />
Kenny<br />
Chesney<br />
Time Warner<br />
Cable Arena<br />
7 8 9 11<br />
12 13<br />
Death Cab<br />
for Cutie<br />
Koka Booth<br />
Ke$ha<br />
Raleigh<br />
Ampitheater<br />
Page design by Section Editors Kristen DeMaria and Alexandra Hernandez
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Crusader</strong> 14<br />
may 29, 2011<br />
Women’s lacrosse<br />
make long run in<br />
state playoffs<br />
Team goes the farthest ever in<br />
playoff run<br />
Baseball reaches<br />
new heights in<br />
playoffs<br />
Team overall happy with<br />
season results<br />
Donna Steinbacher<br />
Copy Editor<br />
Photo Courtesy of Greg Mintel<br />
Junior Christine Spellman runs<br />
with the ball in a recent game.<br />
This year the team went the<br />
farthest ever in the state<br />
playoffs.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Varsity girls’ lacrosse team<br />
was conference champions and made<br />
it to the semifinals of the state playoffs,<br />
but lost to Apex. <strong>The</strong>y had only two<br />
other losses this season, one to Apex<br />
and one to Green Hope.<br />
“This year we went farther than we<br />
ever have in the playoffs. We put a lot of<br />
work into practicing and implementing<br />
a new defense. I’m proud of our<br />
efforts,” said senior Natalie Mann in a<br />
Facebook interview.<br />
<strong>The</strong>y later were able to beat Green<br />
Hope in the state playoffs.<br />
“<strong>The</strong> Green Hope game was a great<br />
game. Everyone played great, and<br />
played as a team. We really pushed<br />
ourselves and redeemed ourselves<br />
from the last time we played them.<br />
Coming out with a win was a great<br />
feeling,” said Mann.<br />
<strong>The</strong> captains of this year’s team<br />
were Maggie Manning, Lauren Halk,<br />
and Shannon Voelkel.<br />
“Leadership played a major role<br />
this year. Many of the girls have been<br />
working together since August and it<br />
paid off during the tournament,” said<br />
head coach Prudence Lyon in an email<br />
interview.<br />
<strong>The</strong> team seemed to have really<br />
enjoyed their season.<br />
“My favorite part hands down was<br />
getting together with the greatest group<br />
of girls and playing the best sport in<br />
the world. We just really bonded this<br />
year on the field and off, and this really<br />
helped us grow and develop as a team,”<br />
said sophomore Stephanie Whitecross<br />
in a Facebook interview.<br />
<strong>The</strong> final record of the season was<br />
19-3.<br />
“My favorite part of the season<br />
was that every game we played we<br />
became more and more of a family<br />
and supportive of each other,” said<br />
sophomore Kathleen Mills in a<br />
Facebook interview.<br />
<strong>The</strong> team seems to have high hopes<br />
for next year and is excited.<br />
“I absolutely cannot wait for<br />
another lacrosse season. This season<br />
was better than I ever could have asked<br />
for and I know they will just keep<br />
getting better,” said Mills.<br />
Caitlin Donovan<br />
Sports Editor<br />
<strong>The</strong> varsity baseball team ended its<br />
season on a high note, making it to the<br />
third round of the playoffs. <strong>The</strong> team<br />
lost the away game to Northeast Guilford<br />
(7-1) on Friday, May 22.<br />
Even though the team was disappointed<br />
with their season being cut<br />
short, they were still happy with their<br />
overall play.<br />
“<strong>The</strong> third round is the farthest<br />
<strong>Gibbons</strong> baseball has been in the playoffs,”<br />
said junior CJ Liuzzo.<br />
<strong>The</strong> team finished their season<br />
with a record of 12-14, placing them<br />
third in conference.<br />
<strong>The</strong>y faced many challenges<br />
throughout the season, which made<br />
them stronger.<br />
“<strong>The</strong> team’s biggest challenge was<br />
starting off the season 0-3,” said junior<br />
Jack Rosenblum.<br />
<strong>The</strong> team’s bond made for a great<br />
season.<br />
“Our team is very close with one<br />
another and that has helped make the<br />
season very enjoyable even through<br />
tough times,” said Rosenblum.<br />
Throughout the season the team<br />
has had many highlights especially in<br />
tournament play.<br />
“My favorite part of the season was<br />
winning our first two playoff games<br />
because we were the underdog in both<br />
games,” said Liuzzo.<br />
<strong>The</strong> team will be losing four seniors<br />
to graduation today. <strong>The</strong> seniors<br />
have learned a lot from their time on<br />
<strong>Gibbons</strong> baseball.<br />
“Playing on this team has taught<br />
me what being on a team that means<br />
something and having an achievable<br />
goal feels like,” said senior Sean Brassington.<br />
<strong>The</strong> returning players have high<br />
hopes for next year’s team.<br />
“I hope next year’s team can win<br />
the conference and just keep improving<br />
in the off season,” said Rosenblum.<br />
“My hope for next year is that we<br />
have a much better season and that we<br />
go deeper into the playoffs,” said junior<br />
Joe Knight.<br />
Photo Courtesy of Greg Mintel<br />
Junior Max Schrock winds his<br />
arm to throw the ball in a recent<br />
game. This year is the farthest<br />
the team has ever gone in the<br />
playfoffs.<br />
<strong>The</strong> World According to . . .<br />
Christine<br />
Murray<br />
Softball<br />
Senior<br />
Maggie<br />
Manning<br />
Lacrosse<br />
Senior<br />
Chris<br />
Noonan<br />
Golf<br />
Senior<br />
Harry Potter or Pirates<br />
of the Caribbean<br />
Harry Potter<br />
Pirates<br />
Beach or pool?<br />
Beach<br />
Beach<br />
What are you<br />
looking forward to<br />
most this summer?<br />
Working and<br />
partying at the<br />
beach<br />
Seeing my friends<br />
before i leave for<br />
work and college<br />
Pirates Beach Europe and<br />
hanging with<br />
friends<br />
Lemonade or Iced tea?<br />
Sweet Tea<br />
Lemonade<br />
Arnold Palmer half<br />
and half<br />
Chris<br />
Geaslen<br />
Tennis<br />
Senior<br />
Harry<br />
Potter<br />
Pool<br />
Relaxing<br />
Lemonade<br />
Page design by Section Editors Caitlin Donovan and Erin Welsh
MAY 29, 2011<br />
SPORTS<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Crusader</strong> 15<br />
<strong>Gibbons</strong> athletes move on to college sports<br />
Senior Steff Saura will attend USC Upstate<br />
where she will play soccer.<br />
Sarah Rapp<br />
Robert Liberatore<br />
Ginny Eckstine<br />
Nathan Wallers<br />
Lauren Halk<br />
Sarah Russo<br />
Steff Saura<br />
Casey Hachem<br />
Erin Walklet<br />
Danielle Hawkins<br />
Source: Information reported to <strong>Cardinal</strong> <strong>Gibbons</strong> Athletic Department.<br />
Men’s lacrosse<br />
season ends too<br />
soon in state playoffs<br />
Erin Welsh<br />
Sports Editor<br />
Photo courtesy of Greg Mintel<br />
Frehsman Gannon Morrison<br />
defends the ball in a recent<br />
game against Apex. Going into<br />
the state playoffs, the team was<br />
ranked number one in 3A schools<br />
in North Carolina.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Gibbons</strong> men’s lacrosse team<br />
ended their season with a record of<br />
17-2 losing only to Durham Academy<br />
(9-7) late in the season and to Middle<br />
Creek (10-6) in the early rounds of the<br />
playoffs.<br />
<strong>The</strong>y started out their season 16-0<br />
with challenging games resulting in<br />
victories against-Broughton (5-4 in<br />
OT) and Apex (5-4 in OT).<br />
Photo courtesy of Greg Mintel Photo courtesy of Greg Mintel Photo courtesy of Greg Mintel<br />
Team finishes 17-2 after<br />
starting season 16-0<br />
Senior Robert Liberatore will play soccer for<br />
Drexel this fall.<br />
Virginia Tech<br />
Drexel<br />
Belmont Abbey<br />
UNCW<br />
Belmont Abbey<br />
Coastal Carolina<br />
USC Upstate<br />
App State<br />
Wofford<br />
Western Carolina<br />
With this winning record, <strong>Gibbons</strong><br />
was ranked number one in 3A schools<br />
in North Carolina. <strong>The</strong>ir dedication,<br />
training and hard work paid off, resulting<br />
in a successful season.<br />
<strong>The</strong> team was led by head coach<br />
Mike Curatolo and graduating senior<br />
captains Andrew Bass, Cullen Raymond<br />
and Paul Yacono.<br />
Sophomore Zander Lim said the<br />
season was solid, but a letdown.<br />
“We started out strong but we ended<br />
disappointed. But next season will<br />
be better,” said Lim.<br />
“I thought we had a very successful<br />
season. It wasn’t necessarily the outcome<br />
we all wanted but overall it was<br />
very good,” said Curatolo.<br />
One of the strongest aspects of the<br />
team is the bonding between players.<br />
“Teamwork was a huge thing because<br />
we’re like a family,” said Lim.<br />
According to Lim, next season the<br />
team can work on executing their opportunities<br />
more. But with the many<br />
returning and potential new players,<br />
there is still hope for a successful season<br />
next year.<br />
“Although we graduate nine seniors,<br />
we return 21 players from this<br />
year’s team and eight out of ten starters<br />
will be back,” said Curatolo.<br />
Softball finishes<br />
third in state<br />
playoffs<br />
Erin Welsh<br />
Sports Editor<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Gibbons</strong> women’s softball<br />
team started off their season 9-0 with<br />
their first wins against Wake Christian<br />
Academy (9-5), Northwood (7-3),<br />
Ravenscroft (11-1) and Orange (8-6).<br />
After their season’s strong start,<br />
the team then lost to Southern Vance<br />
(3-0). <strong>The</strong>y ended their season 11-4<br />
with other losses belonging to again<br />
Southern Vance (8-0), Webb (8-3)<br />
and Northern Vance (5-3).<br />
<strong>The</strong> team then lost to John M.<br />
Morehead in the playoffs. <strong>The</strong>y<br />
finished their season third in the<br />
playoffs.<br />
<strong>The</strong> team was led by senior<br />
captains Kathryn Johanson, Morgan<br />
Kunsman and Christine Murray.<br />
Marianne White and Tim Chorba are<br />
the two co-coaches.<br />
Although the team has many<br />
strong aspects to it, the team’s bond<br />
is a true strong aspect. As their record<br />
shows, the team works really well<br />
together.<br />
Senior Danielle Hawkins is headed for<br />
Western Carolina where she will participate in<br />
Track & Field.<br />
Cross Country/Track & Field<br />
Soccer<br />
Volleyball<br />
Swimming<br />
Girls Lacrosse<br />
Soccer<br />
Soccer<br />
Soccer<br />
Soccer<br />
Track & Field<br />
“I think we had an excellent season.<br />
<strong>The</strong> girls played very well together,”<br />
said White. “We have a lot of talent.”<br />
“<strong>The</strong> strongest aspects of the team<br />
was how well we got along, our inside<br />
jokes, and we worked very well together<br />
when it was time to get serious on the<br />
field,” said sophomore Mary Wood.<br />
“Our strongest aspect was how well<br />
we came back to win games when we<br />
were behind,” said sophomore Frances<br />
Myers.<br />
While proud of the season they<br />
had, there is more to be expected for<br />
the next season. According to White<br />
the girls can build on the foundation<br />
from this year.<br />
“We can improve for next year by<br />
keeping our heads up and having a<br />
good attitude throughout every game,”<br />
said Myers.<br />
“We can improve by raising<br />
out batting averages, continuing to<br />
welcome the upcoming players from<br />
the younger grades, and still keeping<br />
the bond all the players have,” said<br />
Wood.<br />
Photo courtesy of Greg Mintel<br />
Freshman Stephanie Girard strikes the ball in a recent game. Overall,<br />
the team finished the season 11-4.<br />
Page design by Section Editors Caitlin Donovan and Erin Welsh
the crusader 16<br />
may 29, 2011<br />
Men’s tennis wins state championship<br />
Team wins title for first time in 3A classification<br />
<strong>The</strong> 3A State Championship winning men’s tennis team consisted of (left to right) junior<br />
Matt Daly, junior Killian Steer, sophomore Pierce Beary, sophomore Sean Solik, junior Greg<br />
Galush, freshman Robert Kelly, senior Chris Geaslen, senior Wade Tuttle, senior Andrew<br />
Rinderer, sophomore Nicholas Dodson, sophomore Greg Scurtu, sophomore Jackson<br />
Freeman, and coach Andrew Tuttle. This was the team’s first 3A State Championship.<br />
Track runs big at<br />
state meet<br />
Photo Courtesy of Andrew Tuttle<br />
Donna Steinbacher<br />
Copy Editor<br />
<strong>The</strong> men’s varsity tennis defeated Charlotte<br />
Catholic 6-0 on May 21 in the state championships<br />
to claim its first state championship at the 3-A level.<br />
“<strong>The</strong> best part of the playoffs was winning the State<br />
Championship match against Charlotte Catholic. Our<br />
team played great in each of the five playoff matches,<br />
not losing a single court and winning by a 6-0 score<br />
in each match. After last year’s close loss in the State<br />
finals, it was important for us not only make it back<br />
there this year, but to win the championship and I am<br />
proud of the team for accomplishing that goal,” said<br />
head coach Andrew Tuttle in an email interview.<br />
<strong>The</strong> team finished second in a national<br />
tournament in Louisville earlier in the season, as<br />
well.<br />
“<strong>The</strong> best part of the regular season was our<br />
trip to Louisville, we got to play a lot of competitive<br />
matches but also had a lot of fun as a team,” said<br />
senior Chris Geaslen in a Facebook interview.<br />
<strong>The</strong> final record of the season was 26-2 with a<br />
conference record of 10-0. It was the team’s fifth<br />
state championship overall. Men’s tennis won every<br />
year from 2006 to 2009 at the 2-A level.<br />
Also, Matt Daly was selected as Conference<br />
Player of the Year and was also named MVP of the<br />
championship match.<br />
“<strong>The</strong> biggest strength of the team is our players’<br />
competitive drive and desire to play their best every<br />
match. Regardless of the opponent, each of our player<br />
have a high level of tennis talent and experience<br />
that they each bring with them to make our team<br />
successful,” said Tuttle.<br />
Women’s soccer returns<br />
to state title match<br />
Caitlin Donovan<br />
Sports Editor<br />
<strong>The</strong> men’s and women’s track<br />
teams ended their seasons competing in<br />
the 3A NCHSAA state championships.<br />
<strong>The</strong> girls came in 2 nd while the boys<br />
came in 17 th .<br />
Both teams believed that the spring<br />
season was successful overall.<br />
“<strong>The</strong> spring track season<br />
went pretty well with lots of great<br />
improvements across the entire team,”<br />
said junior Steven Phillips.<br />
“Everyone continued to improve<br />
from the beginning to the end of the<br />
season, so I think that means we were<br />
successful,” said junior Megan Cuomo.<br />
Both teams trained hard to make it<br />
to regionals and then on to states.<br />
“Everyone put in hard work to<br />
get us to regionals,” said sophomore<br />
Samiiah Wilson.<br />
Some team members were able<br />
to move onto states. <strong>The</strong>se players<br />
included juniors Patrick Wolf, Tommy<br />
Schotzinger, Megan Kunkel, Kate<br />
Donato, Cuomo, Wilson, and Phillips,<br />
and senior Sarah Rapp.<br />
Phillips placed third in the two<br />
mile, Wolf came in 7 th in the two mile,<br />
and Schotzinger placed second in the<br />
mile<br />
Ẇilson, Kunkel, and Rapp won the<br />
4 x 800 relay. Kunkel also placed 2 nd<br />
in the 800, and Cuomo placed third in<br />
the two mile. Rapp won the mile and 2<br />
mile and placed third in the 800.<br />
<strong>The</strong> season was an overall great<br />
experience for everyone and was a lot<br />
of fun.<br />
“I enjoyed the overall<br />
experience of running with friends,<br />
laughing at practices, and pushing<br />
myself at meets,” said Donato.<br />
“[My hopes] for next year are that<br />
we win Conference and regionals by<br />
beating Chapel Hill and we qualify<br />
more people for the state meet,” said<br />
Wolf.<br />
“I hope next year will be as fun as<br />
this year was. I hope the people who<br />
ran this year come back for another<br />
great season and I hope we get a new<br />
load of freshman to help build the team<br />
even stronger,” said Donato.<br />
Photo courtesy of Greg Mintel<br />
Sophomore Jose San Miguel hurdles past a Chapel Hill <strong>High</strong> <strong>School</strong><br />
runner in a recent meet. <strong>The</strong> men’s track team later participated in<br />
the state meet, where they finished 17th.<br />
Haleigh Nelson<br />
Copy Editor<br />
<strong>The</strong> women’s varsity soccer<br />
team found themselves down for the<br />
first time all season in the NCHSAA<br />
3A Eastern Regional final against<br />
Jacksonville.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Crusader</strong>s, however, were able<br />
to keep their composure despite the<br />
unfamiliar feeling of being behind and<br />
prevailed 2-1, setting up a return to the<br />
3-A state championship match.<br />
This is the second year in a row<br />
the team has beaten Jacksonville in<br />
the regional final, and they competed<br />
Saturday, May 28 for the 3-A state title<br />
against Charlotte Catholic. (Results<br />
were unavailable as of press time).<br />
After an early goal by Jacksonville<br />
sophomore Meredith McCarty put<br />
them up 1-0, <strong>Gibbons</strong> freshman<br />
Morgan Reid tied the game with a goal<br />
assisted by senior Kiki Davis in the<br />
middle of the first half.<br />
In the 54 th minute of the match,<br />
Davis scored the winning goal with<br />
an assist from sophomore Christina<br />
<strong>Gibbons</strong>, and the girls were able to<br />
heave a sigh of relief after their most<br />
intense match of the season.<br />
<strong>The</strong>y ended regular season play<br />
undefeated in conference with an<br />
overall 20-1 record. <strong>The</strong>y ended<br />
conference play with a win over Webb<br />
8-0 on May 4.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Crusader</strong>s dominated the<br />
playoffs by outscoring every team in a<br />
combined ratio of 23-1.<br />
“I am so proud of how far our team<br />
has come, and we are playing every<br />
game our hardest to prepare for the<br />
state championship game again, and<br />
finish the season the right way,” said<br />
Reid.<br />
“<strong>The</strong> main focus for improvement<br />
has been [taking] chances and<br />
opportunities because [we] never<br />
know when [we] will get another one,<br />
and we have been successful because<br />
everyone has given 100 percent effort<br />
wherever and whenever the team<br />
needs it,” said <strong>Gibbons</strong>.<br />
“Our strength is the depth in our<br />
team. <strong>The</strong> quality of play stays really<br />
high no matter how many people we<br />
sub in. We also play as a team and trust<br />
each other which is the key to success,”<br />
said Reid.<br />
Leadership from the seniors and<br />
captains has also been an important<br />
part of the season this year as well.<br />
“<strong>The</strong>y always bring a positive<br />
attitude to the field, [and] give great<br />
pep talks. <strong>The</strong>y are so trustworthy<br />
even off the field. <strong>The</strong>y basically have<br />
everyone’s backs,” said junior Kathleen<br />
Davis.<br />
“Our seniors are great! <strong>The</strong>y are<br />
supportive and reinforcing, and they<br />
know how to make us push ourselves<br />
to be our very best,” said Reid.<br />
Photo courtesy of Landmark Yearbook<br />
Junior Monica Trickett passes the<br />
ball in the regional final against<br />
Jacksonville last Tuesday. <strong>The</strong><br />
team played Charlotte Catholic<br />
in the state championship game<br />
yesterday.<br />
Page design by Section Editors Caitlin Donovan and Erin Welsh