The Corette_Volume 8_Issue 3_March 2026

CORETTE

S E N I O R S C O O P

RECENTEVENTS

M O C K T R I A L M O C K T R I A L B O O K R E V I E W

M O V I E S

CORETTE STAFF

Editor-in-Chief

Audrey Sherman’26

ManagingEditor

Katelyn Short ‘27

Photo&GraphicsEditor

Mia Eickhoff ‘27

Publicist

Amanda Missey ‘27

StaffWriters

Lorelei Cioffi ‘26

Dr. Thomas Curran

Mary Damazyn ‘29

Lorelei Guntli ‘29

Cecelia Hof ‘28

Sr. Allison Masserano, ASCJ

Bella Parmeter ‘26

Brooke Rodden ‘26

Mary Sotiriou ‘27

FromthePublicist

WhiletheCoretteusuallyfocusesonfunandlightheartedtopicssuchasthe best movies to watch and CJ events, we decided that this issue should also feature some relevant social and political topics in our world. The world is extremelypolarizedtodayonallfronts,rangingfromissuesofsocialjusticeto countryacquisition.Therefore,itisimportanttoknowwhatisactuallygoing onintheworldsothatyoucanformyourownopinions.Hence,“What’sUpin theWorld”wasborn.Theintentionforthiscollectionofarticlesistoprovide unbiasedinformationtothestudentandfacultypopulationaboutimportant topicsthatareactivelypresentinoursociety.

Upcoming Events

Sunday,March8

Thursday,March12

March13-22

Friday,March27

April2-6

April16-19

Friday,April24

April27-May1

Friday,May1

Father-DaughterTrivia

TestingDay(NoClasses)

Seniors’LastDayofClasses

It is also important to note how this collection came to be. I began by finding students and staff members that were interested in writing an unbiased “blurb” aboutaspecifictopic.Thecriteriawasasfollows:Keepitasunbiasedaspossible, keep track of your sources, and only use credible sources. The purpose of these articles is to inform, not persuade students one way or another, and every individualisentitledtotheirownopinionsoneachissue.TheCoretteisnotaligned with any side or political party whatsoever. The main goal of this collection is to inform the population. I am so grateful to have a school newspaper that allows myselfandotherstudentstotalkaboutthesetopics.Wehopethatyoulearnand enjoyreading!-AmandaMissey‘27

Senior Scoop Senior Scoop

BROOKE RODDEN ‘26 & LORELEI CIOFFI ‘26

How do I avoid burnout?

Although burnout may seem like something that only happens to college students or adults,itisdefinitelyarealexperienceamong high schoolers! Burnout is a state of emotional, mental, and/or physical exhaustion which is often caused by prolonged stress The best way to manage burnoutistolearntomanageyourstress.One essential aspect for managing your stress is learning to say no when things get to be too much! As CJ girls, it is so common to want to say yes to everything: more advanced classes, friend hangouts, and sports games. Learning to say no to commitments is essential to avoid burnout If you have too much homework one weekend, skip hanging out with friends. You will feel more comfortable when your work is done and you will have much more fun when you hang out with your friends next weekend. Not only will youfeelmorecomfortablewhenallyourwork isdone,butthenextweekendwhenyouhang out with friends, it will be much more fun! Setting boundaries is essential, but so is learning to manage the stress itself. My favoritewaystomanagestressareexercising (evenifit'sjustashortwalkandjournaling.)

How do I grow in highschool?

How do I grow in highschool?

Highschooliswhenyougrowthemostbybeing pushed out of your comfort zone. It is often the first time where it is up to you to challenge yourself and step into new areas. Discomfort is essential to growth, even though it may not feel great at first. Trying a new hobby, joining a club, speaking up in class, or enrolling in a different type of class can feel intimidating, but those risks often shape you the most Growth doesn’t comefromgettingeverythingrightimmediately It comes from mistakes, awkward beginnings, and moments where you push through selfdoubt!Overtime,thatdiscomfortbeginstofade, and you realize you are becoming more c are m

How do I start my college search? How do I know/figure out what I want?

How do I start my college search? How do I know/figure out what I want?

Starting your college search may seem scary, but it’s actually a very exciting time! To start the search for your perfect school, you need to figure out what you want from it. Ask yourself: what do you want to study, howdoyouwanttolive,doyoulikebigclasses,doyou prefer tighter-knit communities, what activities, internships, and programs are you looking for? First of all, it’s okay not to have these questions figured out! When beginning your college search, it is essential to begin thinking about these things. Once you know the answerstothesequestions,thesearchbecomesmuch easier!Asasenior,myadviceistonotbeafraidtoput yourselfouttherewhenlearningaboutcolleges!Talkto the counselors or email the admissions office from eachschoolandvisittheminpersontodeterminethe perfectfitforyou!

Do I need to have everything figured out?

It is absolutely okay to be unsure of your future! No matter if you are a freshman, sophomore, junior, or even senior, you do not have to have it figuredout.Comparisonisthethiefofjoy.Ifsomeoneelseknowswhatthey want to do in the future, that doesn't mean that you absolutely need to know Personally,IhadnoideaofwhatIwantedtopursueuntilthemiddleof junioryear,andevennow,Istillcan’tbecompletelysurewherelifewilltake me. That uncertainty used to scare me, but I’ve learned that it’s also a sign thatI’mstillgrowinganddiscoveringnewpossibilities.Everyone’spathlooks different, and that’s exactly how it’s supposed to be. Instead of comparing yourself to others, focus on learning more about who you are and what excitesyou!I’mconfidentthatyou’llfindyourwaywithtime.

MOCKTRIAL,

May it please the court? James O’Neill is dead. Surrounded by roaring roller coasters and the whirring of arcade games, he fell. Slow and silent, from the peak of the greatest water ride in the country, James plummeted to his death, never to board another roller coaster or take another daring and dangerous adventure. Ever. Again. This, ladies and gentlemen of the jury, is the case that mock trialers across Missouri were presented with, and this is the case we argue in court. It is complex, it is intense, and it is pretty much our whole lives until the season is over. But the question everyone is left with after the trial is over and it is all said and done is this: whose fault was it anyway? Is Dragon’s Bay Theme Park to blame or James O’Neill himself? Did he stand, or was he launched out of his seat? Maybe we’ll never know, but it is our job to argue our side faithfully and convince you, beyond a reasonable doubt, that we are right.

I am a proud co-captain of our Cor Jesu varsity mock trial team, and I am happy to tell you all about it. Mock trial is much like it sounds: fake court. We go to Clayton Courthouse, sit in front of 2 acting jurors and an acting judge, and argue our case. Every move we make is meticulously and carefully planned. From lengthy direct examinations of our expert witness to niche objections that we hope catch the other team off guard there is nothing we

I have had the pleasure of serving as a witness for four years now, and all of this experience has taught me so much. I have learned what it means to be a leader, what it means to make true commitments, and most importantly, the value of being a part of a team. When we’re in court, it’s never about this attorney or that witness. It’s about our case and our arguments and our results. My individual scores take the backseat when I’m on the stand because I’m not doing this for validation or a strong college application. I’m up there fighting for my team.

FrontRow:BellaParmeter‘26,JuliaHoeflinger’27,LucyBorgmeyer‘26,AvaWichmann‘27.

BackRow:MaggieHeffernan‘26,CoachMaryKateMullen,MarthaGoldkamp‘27,JulietMiller’28,AnnaSchuler‘27

The prep takes months, and the day of trial is very stressful. I once got a notification that my heart rate was too high while I was on the stand. But that didn’t stop me. The show must go on. And “the show” is more accurate than you might think. Mock trial is much like a play, with actors playing their parts, and not a moment unrehearsed. But unlike a play, it is a competition, and things can get ugly. There is even an objection for “badgering the witness” when the opposing lawyer gets a little too aggressive towards a witness (I’ve been badgered, and it is not. fun.). But the competition really makes it worthwhile and interesting. The back and forth is always captivating, and each performance never fails to fascinate me. To all those considering mock trial, I highly recommend it. It has been a wild ride (no pun intended), and I wouldn’t trade my experience for the world.

We win together, we lose together, and we lift each other up when things get to be a little too much. I will never forget the gifts mock trial has given me through post-trial Andy’s runs, way off-track yap sessions and so much more. Much like the roller coasters at Dragon’s Bay, mock trial has its ups and downs. But through it all, my team has truly become my family, and signing off for my senior year is one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to face. But I will do so with a smile on my face because I am so beyond grateful for everything that mock trial has done for me. So, to my amazing and wonderful team: I am so proud of each and every one of you. This season has been one for the books, and I owe it all to you guys. Thank you for giving me the privilege of being your captain. It has been such an honor and a blessing.

And with that, the defense rests. Thank you, Your Honor, and good night.

MARCH FOR LIFE 2026 MARCHFORLIFE2026

The March for Life began in 1974, after the Supreme Court’s decision in Roe v Wade Prior to Roe, each state had the power to decide the legality of abortion, but when Roe was passed, it made abortion legal nationally through all nine months of pregnancy Although Roe v Wade was overturned on June 24, 2022, this did not ban abortion, it just returned the decision to the states. As of January 6, 2026, abortion is banned in 13 states, 28 states have gestational limits (restrictions on how far along in the pregnancy an abortion can be performed), and 9 states & DC have no limitations on abortion.

As of January 30, 2026 Missouri currently has a gestational limit. Abortion is banned after fetal viability, which is when the fetus has a reasonable chance to survive outside of the womb This typically occurs 24-26 weeks into pregnancy

Live Action (an anti-abortion organization) estimates that around ⅓ of Generation Z (people born in 1997-2012) has been aborted. For every 2.5 Gen Z babies, 1 was aborted.

For the first time since before COVID, Cor Jesu had the opportunity to attend the National March for Life in Washington, DC on January 22-25, 2026 This was due to the dedication and organization of Julia Niemann ‘27 and Roslyn (Roz) Doherty ’27, who did not take no for an answer when told that Cor Jesu no longer sends girls on the march. Niemann and Doherty began back in September, spending countless hours organizing and gaining the approval of the administration in order for the trip to happen. They started by gauging the interest of students, and seeing if they would have enough participants. From there, they had to find faculty who were interested in being chaperones, and they eventually found Theology teacher Ms. Lisa Handte Slama ‘86 and Admissions Assistant Mrs. Katie Martin. Slama wanted to go on the trip because “[she is] adopted and so grateful [her] birthmom chose life for [her]” and Martin was happy to help organize and support Niemann and Doherty After many emails and a few meetings with Dean of Student Life Mrs Kathleen Wobbe Pottinger ‘88, Dean of Academics Dr Meghan Bohac, and President Sr Susan Marie Krupp ASCJ ‘76, the trip was approved Sixteen girls were selected to attend, with all four classes represented Every girl had a different reason for going; some had attended in previous years and for others it was a completely new experience. Universally, however, every girl wanted the opportunity to act on their pro-life beliefs. Being a part of a peaceful protest, surrounded by thousands that share the same beliefs as you, is a truly impactful experience. In today’s world, it can be seen as antifeminist to be against abortion, and it can honestly be difficult to share prolife beliefs. Seeing so many others united in the same belief is very moving. Devin Bergan ‘26 shared that “it was really cool to see how many people were willing to travel and be out in the cold to support life It was very powerful and definitely made me feel more rooted in my beliefs ”

The trip began on Thursday, January 22nd. After landing in DC we bought our Metro passes for the weekend and took the subway from the airport to Chinatown, where our hotel was located Then we headed to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, where we attended adoration and prayed a rosary for the unborn Following our prayer time, we ate at Wiseguy Pizza and then turned in for the night, preparing for the busy day ahead of us

Friday was the day we had all been waiting for, the March for Life Around half of the group woke up early to attend mass at Saint Mary Mother of God Catholic Church which was across the street from the hotel, while the rest soaked up every minute of rest before the big day. After the hotel breakfast, we began our mile walk to the National Mall, where the pre-rally was being held. At the pre-rally we listened to the band Sanctus Real and the national anthem, sung by Friends of Club 21 Choir, which is a youth choir composed of individuals with Down Syndrome. We then heard from Jennifer Bradley Lichter, the President of the March for Life, who shared the achievements of the organization over the past year. After hearing from her, Vice President of the United States J.D. Vance spoke.

“We know that life is a gift. We know that babies are precious because we know them and we love them and weseethewaytheycantransformourfamilies...Andwe know that treating everyone with dignity isn’t always easy. It’s not always convenient, but it’s the right thing todo.” -VicePresidentJ.D.Vance,MarchforLife2026

He shared legislative achievements the pro-life movement has won in the past year, including the ending of taxpayer dollars funding abortions, bans on the use of fetal tissue in federal research, and the expansion of the Mexico City Policy, which prevents foreign non-government agencies from promoting or performing abortions while receiving US funding. Following Vance’s speech, we heard from Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, who shared other legislative achievements. Although there were additional speakers, we were eager to get our spot in line for the March, so we exited the pre-rally and joined the growing queue. After standing for about an hour, the march finally began, and we joined thousands in a peaceful protest against the belief that life is anything but a gift.

Sources: https://www.kff.org/interactive/womens-health-profiles/missouri/abortion-statistics/ https://www.kff.org/interactive/womens-health-profiles/united-states/abortion-statistics/ https://www.ncregister.com/commentaries/jd-vance-speech-2026-march-for-life https://marchforlife.org/national-march-for-life/ https://states.guttmacher.org/policies/missouri/abortion-policies https://www.liveaction.org/news/approximately-one-fourth-generation-roe-lost-abortion

After the 1.8 mile march, the group split up to explore DC. Some explored the National Art Gallery, while others visited the National Archives Museum and the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History At the Gallery, the girls enjoyed viewing the only Da Vinci painting in North America, while the girls who went to the Archives got to see the original copies of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights All eventually joined back together to go visit the Washington Monument, the World War II Memorial, and the Lincoln Memorial, exploring everything the National Mall had to offer. After a two mile walk back to Chinatown, we had dinner at Gordon Ramsay’s Street Burger, indulging in world-renowned smashburgers.

Summit on Saturday and hear from additional speakers then fly back Sunday morning, but the winter weather h d diff l O f f f b i k i DC

FUNDERWEAR FUNDERWEAR

Amanda Missey ‘27

A History:

One week. 4 8-minute quarters. A tug of war face-off. The greatest battle to determine the true champion, the winner of the infamous pants. A tradition as old as time, Funderwear perfectly encapsulates the meaning of a true Cor Jesu girl. If it could be summed up in one sentence, it would be “Work hard, play hard,” which was especially true this year The 2026 Funderwear collection broke records with over 200,282 pairs of socks, underwear, and bras collected Every item goes to the St Patrick’s Center, which is one of the largest providers in St Louis that directly serves the homeless population

The St Patrick’s Center began with just one simple question asked by a homeless man: “Lady, where do you think I’m welcome today?” This “lady” that he was referring to was Edith Cunnane, who at the time was a social worker at DePaul Hospital. After looking into the options for help in STL, she realized that there were none. This lack of assistance inspired her commitment to making a difference, which formally began when St. Patrick’s School at 6th and Biddle was identified as the “ideal space to serve the growing needs of the St. Louis community” (St. Patrick Center).

Since opening its doors, the center has continued to expand its mission to serve even more people in the St. Louis community. As a ministry of Catholic Charities, the center shares “the mission to bring healing, help, and hope to those in need through a compassionate and caring presence” (St Patrick Center) The clients have access to tailored services such as housing programs, health services, employment support, and basic needs assistance Each one of these programs contributes to the restoration of the inherent dignity of the human person, which is a fundamental right as taught by the Catholic Church

The most basic needs, such as socks, bras, and underwear, are frequently the items that are most overlooked. These items provide the most basic level of dignity to those who have been stripped of it entirely. When the idea for a clothing collection began and tudents approached the center, they were told that the items needed most were socks, underwear, and bras.

Hence, Funderwear was born. Since then, Funderwear has collected over [insert number] items for the St. Patrick’s Center. Each and every item has gone directly to help improve the quality of life for each individual who steps through the center. Funderwear addresses an extremely necessary need and provides for those who cannot help themselves, making it an essential event for the Cor Jesu community.

Halftime:

The Game:

The basketball team, made up of 12 girls, had a slow but strong start, with Lauren Ortwerth '26 scoring the first points off a free throw around 1 minute and 30 seconds into the game. From there, the Chargers maintained strong positions on the court, especially offensively Ortwerth scored the most points, with 13, which is not surprising considering she averages 20 4 points per game The key to the defense was the hands of Roz Doherty '27, who had 7 rebounds and also put up an impressive 12 points. The final score of the game was 43-34 and added to the Chargers' 11-1 record.

During halftime, there was an impressive showing of talent from all sorts of realms St Joseph’s dance team performed, and of course, the tug-of-war battle commenced A nail-biting start quickly turned into a victory for the Chargers, who managed to defeat the Angels in a mere 33 seconds Maggie Bruno ‘26, one of the captains for the 2026 team, said that a big motivator for this year was “the sheer excitement and high standards from last year's win There was lots of talk about the phenomenal athletes on the Angels’ tug-of-war team Knowing that, we had to put lots of healthy pressure on ourselves to prevail and make the win that much better.” Bruno, a two-time member of the team, realized that “with all of the underclassmen and a freshman on the team, there were a lot of standards to set.” She notes how the many practices, meetings, and overall bonding were essential to maintaining the success of the team and continuing to raise the expectations. Like many other seniors, Funderwear 2026 has become one of her most cherished memories at Cor Jesu that she will never forget.

The Pants:

Any student at Cor Jesu recognizes the significance of winning the pants. Everlasting glory and bragging rights are some of the best parts, but the most important is what the pants symbolize. They represent the dedication to helping people through Catholic service, a core value of Cor Jesu. However, the pants also showcase our immense spirit as a school community. Exec spirit commissioner Devin Bergan ‘26 reflects on Funderwear and says that “dressing up and cheering with the whole school in front of us [the capers] was the most surreal experience The impact of our actions is also so cool to see and I love being a part of that ” As a senior, Bergan says that Funderwear is one of the events she will miss the most Exec secretary Nora Cooke ‘26 describes similar emotions when asked about Funderwear She especially highlights how “it was a team effort with capers collecting money, the Funderwear committee counting and collecting socks and underwear, and StuCo helping sell pins!” Funderwear is a special event for many reasons, but one big one is because it includes everyone, and each person who contributes is giving to a purpose much larger than themselves.

WHAT’S UP IN WHAT’SUPIN

CorJesuPraysforPeace

Audrey Sherman ‘26

On January 30, 2026 Archbishop Coakley called for a holy hour to pray for peace in our country. Cor Jesu students had the option of attending a prayer service during activity period, where prayers for peace, human dignity, and an end to violence were shared.

N THE WORLD NTHEWORLD

GunReforminAustralia

Mary Sotiriou ‘27

the youngest being a 10 year old girl, and 50 more were injured. This horrible shooting is known as The Bondi Beach Massacre that was planned and executed by two men as an attack against the Jewish Community during a Hanukkah beach side event. This horrific event shocked the whole of Australia and gun reforms and change were addressed immediately. Two bills were passed in the House of Representatives and the Senate that involved a national gun buy back and stricter background checks for gun owners. The other bill passed is known as an anti-hate bill; this bill will ban groups whose ideals are to spread hate and includes tougher punishments for organizations that only have an agenda for hate and violence. Support was found around the continent through prayer services and thousands of blood donations to help the victims of the shooting. Australia's government saw hatred and violence and implemented change immediately. Australia had not seen a shooting this terrible since the 1996 massacre in Port Arthur where the lives of 35 people were taken. This attack was immediately met with change by the government by enforcing stricter gun laws. Australia is known for having some of the strictest gun laws in the world and this is achieved by discouraging people from owning guns and making the process of purchasing and owning a gun extremely lengthy and thorough.

Sources:

BOOKREVIEWS BOOK REVIEWS

Have you ever struggled to find a good book to read? Are you in a reading slump or trying to get into reading? Are you looking for something to take your mind off the struggles of being a high school student? Or are you bored and looking for some mindless entertainment? If any of these apply to you, I have three books that I believe can help solve any one of these problems.

Read on for the reviews of these three books.

Title: The Do-Over

Author: Lynn Painter

Summary: ‘After living through a dumpster fire of a Valentine’s Day, Emilie Hornby escapes to her grandmother’s house for some much needed girl talk and companionship. There, Emilie passes out on the couch, but when she wakes up, she’s back home in her own bed That’s not the only shocker thoughsomehow it’s Valentine’s Day Again! And the next day? Another disaster V-Day

It seems that Emilie is stuck in some sort of time loop nightmare that she can’t wake up from as she rewatches her boyfriend, Josh, cheat on her day after day. In addition to Josh’s recurring infidelity, Emilie can’t get away from the enigmatic Nick, whom she keeps running into - sometimes literally - in unfortunate ways ’ (Lynn Painter)

Rating:

Thoughts: The relationship between the two main characters is so detailed and believable. The side characters are welldeveloped and realistic. The plot is interesting and deals with heavy topics really well.

Title: Adorkable

Author: Cookie O’Gorman

Summary: ‘Seventeen-year-old Sally Spitz is done with dating Or at least, she’s done with the horrible blind dates/hookups/sneak attacks her matchmaking bestie, Hooker, sets her up on There’s only so much one geek girl and Gryffindor supporter can take

Her solution: She needs a fake boyfriend. And fast.

Enter Becks, soccer phenom, all-around hottie, and Sally’s best friend practically since birth When Sally asks Becks to be her F B F (fake boyfriend), Becks is only too happy to be used He’d do anything for Saleven if that means giving her PDA lessons in his bedroom, saying she’s “ more than pretty”, and expertly kissing her at parties The problem: Sally’s been in love with Becks all her life - and he’s completely clueless ’ (Cookie O’Gorman)

Rating:

Thoughts: The relationship between the two main characters is so cute and sweet The side characters are also very interesting and the way they interact with the main characters really adds to the story While the plot isn’t especially deep, this is a great story to shut off your brain and unwind with

Title: Etiquette & Espionage

Author: Gail Carriger

Summary: ‘Fourteen-year-old Sophronia Teeminnick is a great trial to her poor mother - her atrocious curtsy is an embarrassment to the family name So Mrs Temminnick enrolls her daughter in Mademoiselle Geraldine’s Finishing Academy for Young Ladies of Quality

But Sophronia soon realizes the school is not quite what her mother might have hoped At Mademoiselle Geraldine’s, young ladies certainly learn the fine arts of dance, dress, and etiquette, but they also learn to deal out death, diversion and espionage - in the politest possible ways, of course Sophronia and her friends are in for a rousing first year’s education ’ (Gail Carriger)

Rating:

Thoughts: The characters are interesting and well-developed. The chapter titles are funny and fascinating. The way the author integrated advanced technology with the time period is really fun and adds a lot to the story

MEET THE2026PENNYQUEENS

AudreySherman‘26

This year, the charities selected for Penny Queen Week were Yuwa, & Nora’s Sparkle of Love. Yuwa, an organization in Yuwa, India, helps young girls escape child marriage and develop their intellect and leadership through the education and football (soccer) programs. Nora’s Sparkle of Love benefits pediatric brain cancer research and supports families impacted by childhood brain cancer. The Penny Queens raised over $45,000 dollars for the selected charities, CJ’s Appalachia Service Project, and the Endowment Fund.

Q Q

Seniors:

Whydidyoudecideto becomeaPennyQueen?

Whatareyoumost lookingforwardto?

Seniors:

Cece has always wanted to be a PQ, and this year seemed like the perfect fit!

Juniors:

Camilla and Marchesa have always loved the event and wanted to get more involved in the tradition!

Sophomores:

They all liked how PQ is fun but still benefits the community, and Claire B was interested in designing the clothes.

Freshmen:

Cecie and Tilly wanted to find a way to get involved while making a difference and Clara enjoys planning and organizing things for good causes!

They are all most excited for the dance and to see all of their hardwork pay off.

Juniors:

They are looking forward to see the final amount raised and the dance.

Sophomores:

They are looking forward to the Wednesday activity during PQ week, the dance, and the amount raised reveal.

Freshmen:

They are looking forward to seeing everyone in the PQ clothes and for all of their hard work to pay off during the activities planned

Q

Seniors:

Howdidyoumeetthe otherPennyQueensin yourclass?

They have always been friends, but PQ has brought them closer!

Juniors:

They met freshman year and have stayed close.

Sophomores:

Claire B, Emilia, and Claire W have been going to school with each other since first grade and have stayed close throughout highschool.

Freshmen:

Tilly and Cecie went to gradeschool together, and they both met Clara at the beginning of the school year and all became close friends

MilanaLake‘26,Lauren Maloney ‘26, &CeceYehling ‘ 26 CeciliaGoeller‘29,Clara Stookey ‘29, &TillyGoldkamp ‘ 29

‘27, Lily Witzel

EmiliaWahl ‘28, Claire Bitney ‘28,&ClaireWeissler

WHAT’S UP IN THE W WHAT’SUPINTHEW

Dr Thomas Curran

As early as his first term in office, President Donald Trump has expressed a desire for the United States to obtain possession of Greenland. Greenland is an island in the Atlantic Ocean east of Canada. It is twice the size of Texas the world’s biggest island and ice covers 80 percent of the landmass. Just what is the appeal of Greenland?

Greenland has been a possession of Denmark since 1814, although its connection to Northern Europe goes back further than that. Since 2008, Greenlanders have enjoyed self-governance when it comes to domestic matters, deferring to Denmark only on issues relating to foreign affairs.

The United States first considered purchasing Greenland as early as 1867, when Secretary of State William Seward proposed the idea after the U.S. obtained Alaska from Russia. Having just spent $7.2 million for that future state, Congress had no interest in spending money on another large landmass covered in ice and snow. Consideration of a Greenland purchase became more serious in 1939 after World War 2 began in Europe and especially after the Nazi German army overran Denmark the following year. When Denmark fell, Henrik Kauffmann, a Danish diplomat assigned to the United States, signed an unofficial agreement with the U.S. letting this nation act as Greenland’s defender and permitting the U.S. to build military installations on the island. It also gave the U.S. access to the mineral cryolite, found in large amounts on the island and necessary for producing aluminum. The U.S. entry into the war against the Axis powers created great demand for aluminum by the aircraft industry, now in full mobilization. After the war, a treaty between the U.S. and Denmark inked in 1951 gave the U.S. full military and mineral rights in Greenland. The treaty still stands today

WORLD: GREENLAND WORLD:GREENLAND

So why does Donald Trump want Greenland now? One explanation relates to national security. Should a nuclear war break out between the United States and Russia, Greenland sits on a path that ballistic missiles launched by Russia would likely take. However, the U.S. already maintains military bases on the island capable of confronting missile launches from Russia, and both Denmark and Greenland have always been open to an expanded American military presence. A second reason often cited by Mr. Trump concerns mineral rights on the island. Along with cryolite, Greenland is rich in other elements and rare earth minerals, including uranium. He has tied our interests with Chinese mining activities in Greenland, although the Chinese have largely failed at those activities and abandoned them. And like our military interests, the 1951 agreement also allows the U.S. access to mine there. One last reason suggested by some observers may simply be the appeal of adding 836,000 square miles to the territory controlled by the United States That would be a land acquisition a bit larger that the Louisiana Purchase of 1803 and more than 300,000 square miles larger than the land obtained from Mexico after the war with that neighbor in the 1840s. After all, Mr. Trump’s first claim to fame was his real estate activities.

Denmark and America’s other allies in Europe members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, NATO along with 85 percent of Greenland’s inhabitants oppose the United States taking possession of the island. A large majority of American citizens also oppose the idea, especially the notion of using military force to take control of that land, which Mr. Trump when pressed did not rule out. In January at the World Economic Forum meeting in Switzerland, Mr. Trump announced that he and Mark Rutte, the Secretary General of NATO, had agreed on “a framework of a deal with respect to Greenland.” Nothing appears to have been put in print, however, and what has been revealed by the president looks little different than the treaty that has stood since 1951 What will happen yet is yet to be seen

2016 VS. 2026 2016VS.2026 REFLECTIONS&PREDICTIONS

AmandaMissey‘27

We’ve all heard it: 2026 is the new 2016. However, what does this actually mean? Let's look back at some of the most iconic 2016 trends and how they are predicted to make a return this year.

First up, the infamous fidget spinners. At the time, I was living in New Jersey and these became so popular that they caused problems and my teacher banned them from the classroom. For those who are not familiar with a fidget spinner, it is a toy that rests on the pads of one finger tip and spins as you balance it Dare I say, perfecting the spin is a true sign of athleticism.

I’d argue that the fidget of 2026 is the NeeDoh instead of the 2016 fidget spinner Popular for its many different shapes and colors, NeeDoh has captured the attention of many. The product they make is stress balls, but not the traditional super-hard ones the doctor’s office gives out Instead, they are soft and moldable, which makes for a great de-stressing experience. At the top of the charts are the Nice (ice) Cubes, which come in colors like blue, purple, and pink and are extremely fun to play with Another one of my personal favorites is the Dream Drop, which even comes with its own little stand (commonly featured on Maggie Bruno ‘26’s dashboard).

Another fond memory of mine from 2016 is begging my mom to purchase me an EOS lip balm in the Target check out line For good reason, these balms were all the rave From great smells to a moisturizing formula, they checked all the boxes for the perfect lip balm. Not to mention, they were extremely cute and convenient, featuring lots of different colors and flavors.

I would like to highlight arguably one of the most horrendous (nothing against it) yet nostalgic trends from 2016: galaxy print. The infamous pattern was indeed printed on everything from leggings to hoodies If you are still looking to purchase items of this style today, you can find the exact same pairs of leggings being sold at Walmart and Amazon. I vividly remember kids in my class wearing hoodies with the print and thinking that it was the coolest thing ever. What inspired this movement? I am not quite sure.

As of now, I believe that good ‘ol Aquaphor is the equivalent of EOS balms. You can practically count on at least every other girl to carry some form of Aquaphor in her bag or pocket, whether it is a jumbo tube or the tiny dermatologist samples Regardless, it is just as handy (if not more) as the EOS balms of 2016. Also, it can literally cure anything from dry skin and chapped lips to cuts and scrapes.

Polka dots They have come into style recently, and for good reason as the pattern is absolutely adorable. Do I see them going in the same direction as galaxy print? Absolutely not. However, you never know. Honestly, I love the pattern. It elevates looks to make them more interesting instead of plain, but not in a tacky way like our good friend galaxy print

The World

The Classroom

Spain

THE LANGUAGE THE LANGUAGE Latin Spanish Places for this language:

Spanish at Cor Jesu is a beloved subject. Many students at Cor Jesu have chosen to take Spanish and it is the most taken languages at CJ. Spanish is one of the most spoken languages in the world. The Spanish department at Cor Jesu has the most teachers in the foreign language department and consists of three amazing teachers: Mrs. Remiger, Mrs. McGraw, and Ms. Gray. Many students have expressed their love for learning about the culture of Spanish speaking countries. One student said, “My favorite part of Spanish class is learning about the culture and the food because It's really cool to see how different food can be across the world.” Another wrote, “I absolutely love being able to learn about the culture and experience so many traditions, like El Dia de los Reyes Magos.”

Many people might react to taking Latin in a negative way because it is considered a dead language. However, many benefits can come from taking Latin. Latin helps with people looking to study in the medical field, or the theology field. Cor Jesu’s Latin department consists of one teacher, Mr. Gioia. Students of his have pointed out his passion for Latin and his ability to make class fun. When asked about her favorite part of Latin class, one student said, “The teacher, Mr. Gioia. He makes the class fun and more interesting.” Many students have also expressed their interest in translating sentences and learning about Roman culture.

Places for this language:

ES OF COR JESU ES OF COR JESU

MaryDamazyn‘29andLoreleiGuntli‘29

France

French Chinese Places for this language:

Canada

Dr. Molnar’s Heart

Another language option at Cor Jesu is French, which is taught by the wonderful Dr. Molnar. Many students have come to Cor Jesu and have not known anything about French but end up loving it. Dr. Molnar is a beloved teacher and when asked about her favorite part about French a student simply said, “Dr. Molnar's heart.” This proves how much love Dr. Molnar puts into the class. Taking French allows students to learn about another culture and language. Many people would also assume French is only fluently spoken in France, but it is spoken in many other places too. As one student put it, “People all over the world speak French. The Canadians are a great example.”

Taught by the amazing Ms. Thoopul, who has taught many languages during her time at Cor Jesu, Chinese is a fun filled class the includes writing different characters and learning about Chinese culture. Chinese is a language that is widely spoken, and growing, around the world. Chinese requires learning a whole new alphabet, which can be very difficult. This class may have the smallest number of people, but that just allows the classes to be closer. “I liked getting to know each of my classmates and connecting on our areas of struggles and growth in the class,” said a CJ student. Another student said, “I really enjoy writing Chinese Characters. I find it really fun.”

Places for this language:

China

“Wishing you prosperity and wealth.”

The World

WHAT’S UP IN THE WO WHAT’SUPINTHEWO

Sr. Allison Masserano

When Robert Prevost was elected Pope in May 2025, he was introduced to the world as Pope Leo XIV. The choice of a papal name is an intentional one, sending a message about the tone or priorities of the new pontificate. In this case, the choice of Leo indicated an intent to offer guidance in the midst of the current digital revolution, just as Pope Leo XIII had led the Church through the Industrial Revolution at the turn of the 20 century. It is no surprise then, that Pope Leo’s message for the World Day of Social Communications, released on January 26, centers on the challenges and possibilities of the defining technology of the digital revolution: artificial intelligence.

Pope Leo begins his message by reflecting on what it means to be human and how, in the Greek and Latin terms for “person,” we find references to both the “face” and the “voice.” He writes that our faces and voices are the “indelible reflection of God’s love” and therefore should be protected and preserved. Failure to do so would mean losing something fundamentally human. In this way, he proposes an approach to AI that puts the person, not technology, at the center.

ORLD: POPE LEO & AI ORLD:POPELEO&AI

While drawing attention to the concerns related to AI – its negative effect on critical thinking, its ability to simulate real relationships, and the possibility of its bias altering our perception of reality – Pope Leo reiterates the importance of relationship, encounter, creativity, and love. These are what make us human; to lose them would mean giving up our faces and our voices.

Pope Leo ends his message with a call to action: “The task laid before us is not to stop digital innovation, but rather to guide it…It is up to each of us to raise our voice in defense of human persons, so that we can truly assimilate these tools as allies.” He urges everyone, from AI developers and government regulators to individual users, to act responsibly and cooperatively and emphasizes the need for media, information and AI literacy. Ultimately, Pope Leo reminds us that we need “faces and voices,” rather than technological approximations of humans, “to speak for people again ”

JO & AUDREY’S JO&AUDREY’S ULTIMATEEARLY2000'STVGUIDE

Forget the channel guide, all you need is this early 2000's TV and movie list. Although some are from the late 90's, like Clueless and 10 Things I Hate About You, all these movies perfectly encapsulate the 2000s. From the fashion to the technology to the girl who is somehow always a journalist, these movies are all you need to make you wish you grew up 20 years earlier.

All photos courtesy of