ELEVATE
AN RJ MEDIA PUBLICATION
INSIDE THE ISSUE OUR JESUIT ROOTS THE FALL PLAY VOICES UNHEARD
REGIS JESUIT | AURORA, CO 1
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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II
III
IV
V
I.
III.
Home Away from Home Ms. Kessler Profile pg. 8-10
King of the Kitchen Executive Chef Profile pg. 14-15
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II.
IV.
VI.
Balancing Work on Point - Bella Gervasini Profile pg. 12-13 2 October 2015| Issue 1
Cart Tech - Sam Frishman profile pg. 16-17
More than a Photo - Kate Anderson profile pg. 18-20
Voices Unheard Homelessness Photo Essay pg. 24-28
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VII
VIII
IX
VII.
IX.
VIII.
X.
Behind the Scenes - Fall Play Coverage pg. 30-31
A New Coach at a New Altitude pg. 36-38
My Day with Mike Klis Broncos pg. 40-41
X
XI XI.
Immersion Trips pg. 49
Our Jesuit Roots pg. 46-48 3
RJ MEDIA
STAFF
The staff aims to balance what the audience wants with what it needs, and strives to make solid judgments with regards to news value and news awareness.
ELEVATE MAGAZINE Colin Byrne ‘16 & Maddie Merritt ‘16...............Editors In Chief Fiona Murphy ’16...............Copy Editor Sam Russell ‘16...............Photography
Maria Ojile, Charlotte Visser, Madi Emerson, Katie Ernst, Stephanie Llorente, Erika Rasmussen, Avery Anderson, Caitlyn Burke, Natalie Christiansen, Rachel Craig, Kenzie Devening, Christina Finch, Elizabeth Hensley, Ellie Hill, Katherine Lemkau, Sarah Ratliff, Katie Shanahan, Meriel Upton, Julia Weis, Mikaela West, Julie Bradley, Lilly Butsch, Mia Costa, Juliana Davis, Lauren Morphew, Georgia Ray, Reagan Shea, Afton Tanner, Emily Wrede, Reilly Frasier, Claire Hummel, Katie Maxfield, Cole Ancell, Tyler Ballinger, Ron Fishleigh, Connor Lyford, Xavier Ribota, Ben Steyaert, Nick Sangalis, Aidan O’Donnell .............. Staff
RJTODAY.ORG & SOCIAL MEDIA Anastasia Conley ‘18............... Web Editor Patrick Britti ‘17 ..................... Social Media editor Mason Stragey ‘16 .........Web Editor Sarah Darley ‘17 .........Social Media Editor
RJTV & RJ RADIO Nathan Shutts ‘16...............Producer Jack Diaz-Doherty ‘16...............Radio Host Fiona Murphy ‘16...............Radio Host Tyler Ballinger ‘16...................RJTV Sports Network Max Zahringer ‘17..............Special Events Coverage
Cover Art by Reilly Frasier ‘18
The publications will serve as a medium for student opinions and ideas. RJ Media strives to produce objective, well-balanced and accurate reporting and content that features a range of students, their interests and their viewpoints. The staff is dedicated to being fair, accurate, balanced, truthful and responsible. The staff will seek the truth and report it, minimize harm and act independently. We promise to be transparent, accountable and open. The staff also upholds Ignation values with regard to social justice and openness to growth. The staff prides itself on using the Ignation Pedagogical Paradigm to help make decisions: context, experience, reflection, action, and evaluation. The student Editorial Board will have final say in the content of the publications. School officials, administration or faculty and staff shall not practice prior review or the have the ability to censor any student publication, with the exception of material deemed to be legally obscene, libelous, substantially and materially disruptive, or coverage on any one of the following three topics, wherein coverage will be worked through with the president and principals: Obituaries, employee termination, and crimes or cases in the court of law.
EDITORIAL POLICIES
RJ Media [Elevate Magazine, rjtoday.org, RJTV and RJTV Sports Network] operates as a limited-open forum for student free expression. The publications are for the students, by the students.
The views of columnists are not necessarily those of the newspaper staff. Opinions will be published on designated pages or otherwise marked. All material published by RJ Media is copyrighted to RJ Media, year and date of original publishing. RJ Media will not publish any material that is a violation of copyright. We take our own photos and produce our own content. We sometimes use photos with express written permission, but only if we absolutely have to. Those will be credited to the photographer with attribution specified by the permission of use. Read our full editorial policies at rjtoday.org/policy
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR - WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! Letters to the editor are welcome and encouraged, but will only be published if they are accompanied by a name and signature. Letters should be short and free of “bashing” or obscenity. Letters to the editor do not reflect the views of the RJ Media staff and will be marked on pages designated as such. The staff reserves the right to edit letters for potentially libelous material and length. The staff will not edit letters for punctuation, grammar and usage. Letters with issues will be returned to the submitter for further review. Contact the RJ Media Editorial Board at rjmedianetwork@gmail.com or in the RJ Media Lab (PAC-102). You can also find us on Twitter @RJ_Media
COME WORK FOR YOUR STUDENT MEDIA IT’S REALLY FUN. WE PROMISE.
VISIT THE RJ MEDIA LAB Mondays at Academic Support: RJTV SPORTS NETWORK BROADCASTING
Tuesdays after school: RJ MEDIA, MAGAZINE, RJ RADIO, WEB & RJTV STUDIO SHOW
WE ARE PART OF A PROGRAM THAT REDUCES THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF USING FOREST PRODUCTS BY AUTOMATICALLY PLANTING TREES ACROSS A GLOBAL NETWORK OF REFORESTATION PROJECTS.
Wednesdays at Lunch: IMPRESSIONS- CREATIVE WRITING, ART, PHOTOGRAPHY
FOR EVERY TREE USED IN THE PRINTING OF OUR MAGAZINE, ANOTHER IS PLANTED. PRETTY COOL.
Tuesdays at Lunch: YEARBOOK
Thursdays at Lunch: RJ FILM MAKERS CLUB 4 October 2015| Issue 1
THANKS, PRINTRELEAF.
HELLO! Right now, like us, you are probably getting ready for fall - boots, big sweaters, and all the Pumpkin Spice Latte’s you can handle. You are also probably hitting up all the football games, stressing about college applications, and figuring out how to handle the current school year. With all of this in mind, we have designed the magazine with the concept of reflecting on new and old experiences. We uncovered the facts, provided you with truth, and took a glimpse into the vast diversity of Regis Jesuit. These stories have all come from within our walls, and remind us of how special this community is. So enjoy this year. Go on that immersion trip, buy those delicious Otis Spunkmeyer cookies, and know that we will be here, ready to tell your stories.
YOUR EDITORS,
MADDIE MERRITT AND COLIN BYRNE ‘16
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MEET YOUR STUCO PRESIDENTS
MATHISON DAVIS “This year is much different than years past because we have made a huge transition to becoming a coed club. Because of this switch, things are easier to plan, and we have a wider variety of ideas to choose from. I think that it is helping our divisions become closer with one another.”
FRANK CAHILL “My favorite Regis tradition is Mission Week: it’s an amazing opportunity to have fun while, at the same time, to return to the Jesuit roots of Regis, which is to act as men and women with and for others.”
MEGAN TARTELL “Being president is such an honor because we get to set the example for the rest of the school as well as stand as the intermediate between the administration and the students. We love to talk and get to know as many people as possible, which hopefully makes us more approachable because we definitely want to hear people’s opinions and ideas.”
Homecoming Carnival
6 October 2015| Issue 1
Photos by: Erika Rasmussen ‘16
JOHN LEE “I joined Student Council because I wanted to be able to give back to the school that offered me so much and provided a home for me. I wanted to be in a position to make the most impact.”
LOCKER DIY How to turn your typical locker into a masterpiece. By: Avery Anderson ‘19
MAGNETIC PENCIL HOLDER Materials: Plastic cup or holder, printed tape, hot glue, and sticky magnets. 1. Tape the holder to the tape. 2. Stick the magnets to the back of the container. 3. Put your pens in!
DRY ERASE BOARD Materials: Magnetic picture frame, washi tape, and dry erase markers. 1. Take out the stock photos from the magnetic picture frame and flip it to the white side. 2. Fill in the paper with the tape. 3. Fold the excess tape over the back. 4. Reinsert the washi covered stock photo back into the picture frame. 5. Cover the dry erase marker in the same tape as your dry erase board (optional).
CLOSE PIN NOTE HOLDERS Materials: Clothespins, glitter, Elmers glue, foam paint brush, sticky magnets. 1. Take the clothespins and lay them out. 2. Use the foam paint brush and paint a layer of glue on the clothespins. 3. Pour the glitter on top of the wet glue, tap excess glitter off onto a plate. 4. Let dry. 5. Put magnets onto the back of the clothespins. (Hot glue if needed)
BOTTLE CAP MAGNETS Materials: Bottle caps, different colored nail polishes, white nail polish, magnets, and clear coat. 1. Put the magnet on the back of the bottle cap. 2. Paint 2-3 coats of white nail polish on the top of the cap. 3. Add dots on top of the white nail polish with the nail polish brush. 4. Let dry and paint the clear coat on top! 7
INTO THE LIFE OF MS. KESSLER Story and lead Photo By: Natalie Christiansen ‘19 Kenzie Devening ‘19, Katherine Lemkau ‘19
M
s. Kessler’s north-facing window sheds light onto her crowded desk. In it are icons of Jesus and Mary in a handmade frame. A rosary hangs not far away on her desk lamp. The voice mail light on her phone is blinking, always. Books are shelved behind her desk about teaching and faith, including Born Digital, The 12 Touchstones of Good Teaching, and Jesuit Saturdays. There is a collage of photos of her beloved dogs, Maya and Katie. A photo of her and her mother sits atop her bookshelf. Another of her father hangs beside her John Francis Regis Outstanding Service Award, given to her and her mother at the first commencement ceremony of the Girls Division in 2004. Ms. Gretchen Kessler has been principal since it was founded in 2003. “You know, it’s not something I’ve ever had this great ambition for, I kind of just grew into it,” a smile spreads across Kessler’s face as she laughs, looking back on her journey from going to high school herself to becoming the principal of the Girls Division. Ms. Kessler was born and raised in Buffalo, New York. She is an only child and attended Christ the King for grammar school. She then went to the University of Buffalo and majored in Spanish. She taught Spanish at a Canisius Jesuit High School for 24 years in Buffalo. Kessler decided after becoming department chair that she was interested in curriculum work and went to get a second masters degree in Administration and Supervision. Kessler became the assistant principal and worked there happily until she received a letter in the mail asking her to become the principal at Regis Jesuit’s new Girls Division. “We’re it in the world,” said Kessler of Regis Jesuit’s unique co-divisional model. ”I thought it was so wonderful that someone was going to do for girls what we’ve been doing for boys forever,” she said. She received a second letter two weeks later, this time with a note attached to it, asking her to consider applying for the job. Kessler’s eyes sparkled as she said, “I thought, okay, God, what do you have in mind?” She was offered the job and traveled from Buffalo to Aurora to open the Girls Division in 2003. “And the rest is history,” Kessler said. Q&A WITH MS. KESSLER NEXT PAGE
8 October 2015| Issue 1
HER
HOME AWAY FROM
HOME
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Q&A WITH MS. KESSLER RJ MEDIA: What is the hardest part of your job? KESSLER: The hardest thing is just making sure that I’m attentive to everything and everyone that requires attention. Sometimes you have an emergency in the middle of the day and it takes you away from other things you should be doing. I think that’s honestly the only hard part. RJ MEDIA: What is one of your favorite moments at Regis Jesuit? KESSLER: I couldn’t even tell you one moment; there are so many. My joy has truly come from my interaction with the girls and watching them grow, so I think graduation is one of my top moments each year. But also the simple things. Like watching how much fun everyone is having at a football game, or at the Mass of the Holy Spirit. It was so beautiful to see the whole crowd when I was going around blessing people this year. I’d say in the end it’s probably some of the faith-filled moments that are most joyous to me. I can’t imagine not teaching at a Catholic school because it’s now a part of who I am. It’s in watching the girls, and being involved with them, and being on retreats with them. I would never do justice to everything that happens if I just picked out one moment.
“The first year we opened, we were off-site at St. Catherine’s Greek Orthodox School.”
Ms. Kessler moving into her office on the Regis Jesuit campus.
RJ MEDIA: How has your job changed you as a person? KESSLER: I think it’s made me more compassionate and more understanding of different family dynamics. Also, I understand all different kinds of things that our students and families are facing. I think, I hope, I have become a better listener over the years because I think listening is very important. Also, anytime someone just comes in and wants to talk about what is going on I need to be able to listen. RJ MEDIA: What does a good day look like? KESSLER: A good day always has a little bit of prayer. I always enjoy the morning prayer and the daily examen. A good day also has a lot of interactions with the faculty and students. RJ MEDIA: What are the most rewarding elements of your job? KESSLER: One of my happiest moments every year is graduation, when I watch the girls walk across the stage to get their diploma. I think of how much they’ve grown over the four years. And there are daily joys. Anytime I am with the girls it is wonderful, and I love the people I work with in the office. They are wonderful and we are all very supportive of each other. 10 October 2015| Issue 1
Above: “My joy has truly come from my interactions with the girls and watching them grow.” Below: Ms. Kessler and Father Wally Sidney, SJ, the founders of the Girls Division.
PRESIDENTIAL UPDATE By Fiona Murphy ‘16 and Cole Ancell ‘16 Photos by Sam Russell ‘16
O
n the morning of September 29, The Board of Trustees sent a mass email to the Regis Jesuit community announcing the resignation of the new president Fr. Paul Sheridan, SJ. The email explained Fr. Sheridan moving “directly from his work as President [at his previous school, Bellarmine Prep] to begin his term here at Regis Jesuit High School,” and how at 72 he found himself “unable to fulfill the responsibilities as president in the way he would have wanted and that he believed [our school] deserved.” Despite the seemingly abruptness of this email to the community, the Board of Trustees had an interim president in a matter of hours. Mr. Rick Sullivan became that president. Sullivan will remain president for the 2015-2016 school year. There is no surprise Mr. Sullivan gained this position due to his many years devoted to Regis Jesuit. Sullivan has been involved in Jesuit education since 1974. After being the RJHS principal for eight years, Sullivan helped start the Girls Division as the director of planning, and was, most recently,
head of operations and vice president. “I didn’t have an aspiration to be the president here, but I have a passion for Regis Jesuit High school,” Sullivan said. He is adamant that “this gap in leadership will not in anyway detract what we are trying to accomplish as a school or anything from the students experience here.” Though it is no surprise that Sullivan had mixed feelings towards the resignation of Fr. Paul, being that he has known Fr. Paul since the early seventies. “The first word that comes to mind is disappointing,” Sullivan said. “I feel sad that we were not able to experience him as a president.” Two weeks before Sheridan’s resignation, RJ Media sat down with Fr. Paul with the goal of introducing him to the community and to get to know him as a person. “I’m just a guy who has spent his whole life working with youth,” Fr. Paul said, “I’ve always been impressed by the vigor, the push, and the drive of students.” Fr. Paul went to a Jesuit school in Sydney, Australia and there found his passion for the Jesuits and
education. From there he created the Boys Hope Girls Hope that gives Jesuit education to inner city students. “Whatever your profession is, it is important to make sure that part of your life is dedicated to helping people in those circumstances,” he said. Fr. Paul stated that his main goal was,”to involve myself in the community at a deep level, and to just be there to thank you for who to are. To encourage you, that’s all.” Because he felt he could not do this fully, Fr. Paul felt that the best thing for not only himself, but for Regis Jesuit, would be to step down. “You are unable to serve others if you have not served yourself, and that’s the case here,” Sullivan said of Fr. Paul’s decision. The next steps for Regis Jesuit in finding a new president will be the efforts of Sullivan and the Board of Trustees. “There will be many meetings in the next couple weeks about how to proceed there,” Sullivan said. The Regis Jesuit community will continue to be posted on the progression of the next leader for the school.
VIDEO EXTRA! Go behind the scenes Check out rjtoday.org for more.
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BALANCING WORK ON
POINT
Photos and Story By: Katie Shanahan ‘19, Meriel Upton ‘19, and Ellie Hill ‘19
Dancer Bella Gervasini spends every free second she can catching up on school work, even though she has a much bigger commitment ahead of her.
1: Bella Gervisini strikes a move as she listens to the music. She dances at the studio in the International Ballet School. “The best part about it is just performing and then being able to work towards your performance,” she says.
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2: “My favorite part about ballet is just the way you do feel on the stage.”
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3: Gervisini practices in the mirror, seeing her form for herself.
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12 October 2015| Issue 1
Q &A
BELLA GERVASINI PERSPECTIVE
RJ MEDIA: What made you want to become a ballet dancer?
VIDEO EXTRA!
Go behind the scenes Check out rjtoday.org for more.
B
ella Gervasini steps on to the cold dance floor. She slips on her pointe shoes. She looks at herself in the reflection of the mirrors as she stands up. She starts the music and listens to the rhythm. She becomes a different person with one exhale. The senior star has been dancing since she was two years old, and has been doing all types of dance including jazz, tap, lyrical, and more. When she was thirteen, she made the commitment to switch to ballet, and has never looked back. “We live different lives than most teenagers,” she says. “Lots of time in the studio.” The sacrifice means missing family vacations, and forgoing a committed social life at school. She explained that it’s hard to ever take days off and to balance school and dance. Bella practices at her studio, International Ballet School, from 12:30 to 6:00 on
BELLA: “I have been dancing since I was two years old but when I was 13 I wanted to focus more on ballet, and I came and tried a class here, and I loved it. I think that the best part about it is just performing and working toward your performance and feeling accomplished on stage.”
Monday through Thursday, 12:30 to 5:00 on Friday, and 9:00 to 4:00 on Saturday. There is no question it is a huge commitment, but Gervasini explained that she has definitely been rewarded from the experience. “At the end of freshman year I had two hip surgeries, and I think I’m most proud of myself for just getting back to where I am now. After that, it was a long year.” Less than a year after her surgeries, Bella did the Grand Prix competition here in Denver in 2014, and she placed first overall. Gervasini has proven that balancing school work and ballet can be challenging, but with strength and perseverance says Gervasini, the balance is work on point.
RJ MEDIA: Explain how ballet changed your life. What kind of sacrifices did you have to make? BELLA: “Ballet definitely did change my life. We live different lives than most teenagers I would say for sure. Lots of time at the studio. It’s just a very serious commitment and takes up a lot of time. A lot of family events, you don’t get to spend as much time with your family and vacations. One year I couldn’t with my family to Mexico for spring break because I had to be home training which was kind of a bummer. You can’t really take days off ever. And then school and like the social aspect of that. I do like having a balance between school and dance but it’s harder sometimes.”
RJ MEDIA: How do you stay focused in school and balance your busy schedule? BELLA: “I think a lot of it is just communication with my teachers. I do miss a lot of school but I’ll go in and talk to them whenever I miss class and email them a ton. It’s really hard though to balance that and I just try to make sure my grades don’t suffer for it because my education’s really important to me too. I think that it’s really hard to balance that in the dance world. A lot of dancers don’t focus on education as well.”
RJ MEDIA: What is your favorite part about ballet? BELLA: “My favorite part of ballet is just the way you do feel when you’re on stage. Even though I don’t always like coming to classes everyday, it makes all the effort worth it when you’re performing.” 13
KING OF
THE
KITCHEN
14 October 2015| Issue 1
EXECUTIVE CHEF BRINGS NEW TASTE Photo and Story By: Ellie Hill ‘19, Katie Shanahan ‘19, Meriel Upton ‘19
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hen new RJHS Executive Chef Andres Arboleda talks about cooking, his face lights up.
“I like nourishing people, I like seeing smiles on people’s faces, I like nourishing more than just cooking. If you were just to cook, it could be anything, but it’s more than that,” Arboleda says of the joy food can bring. “I like to actually cook stuff that’s healthy and produce the correct energy that you need to carry on your day for your brain, for your body, and for your day -to-day life.” Arboleda, who has been in the restaurant and food service industry for nearly 22 years, says his cooking skills originated mostly from his family. “I am from a large Latin family. When there’s a get-together there is always food,”he explained. “Even when I was little my father liked to go in the kitchen and make this and make that.” Later, a chance encounter ignited a spark. “I ran into a friend and was like, ‘you can cook food for a living?’” After, Arboleda decided he would pursue it. Ever since, Andres has had a love for cooking, and for him, it’s been a life-changing love. “Cooking gave me a sense of being. Cooking really made me happy and it was something that I had in my skills without actually doing it.” On the move to Colorado, Arboleda explains that Regis Jesuit seemed the perfect fit as he comes from a Jesuit background, and he thought it would be a great opportunity. “I did a little research when I was moving because I’m a newbie to Colorado. I saw that there was an ad for an executive chef at a Jesuit school, and I thought--school?--that would be cool.” And that fullness of being that cooking gave him at an early age? He wants to keep that going. “Now, with the opportunity given to me at Regis Jesuit, I get to integrate my love of God and children as well as my culinary passion,” he said. From his own kitchen to Regis Jesuit’s kitchen, Arboleda has a true passion for cooking. Mostly, he loves to bring smiles to people’s faces. “I just want kids to be excited about what they’re eating,” he says. 15
art C Tech 16 October 2015| Issue 1
SAM FRISHMAN: ENTREPRENEUR Photo and Story By: Ron Fishleigh ‘17
VIDEO EXTRA! Go behind the scenes Check out rjtoday.org for more.
T
he day Will and Sam Frishman disappeared into the neighborhood woods would be the day they drove their mom crazy. When the twin boys emerged they found their mother, Susan Frishman, worried about her boys and their golf cart weaving in and out of the Castle Pines woods. She had one directive: sell the cart. With an eye for potential and an entrepreneurial spirit, the twin boys sold their first golf cart on Craigslist for a couple hundred dollars. “At first we didn’t want to buy and sell them, we just wanted one,” Sam’s twin brother Will said. Now, the business is profitable. They buy carts online at a maximum of $1200. They fix them up, and then sell them for an average $800 profit. But it doesn’t always go according to plan. “I once spent $5,000 on a cart and it needed $1,200 in repair,” Sam said. Their largest profit to date on a single cart is $1,900. Frishman cleans the engine compartment, replaces broken parts, reupholsters the seats, and adds the occasional sound bar of bumper guard. His success comes from his vision. Sam sees opportunity for profit wherever he goes. He once took $9,000 on a family vacation to Minnesota and spent a day at the University of Minnesota buying up hockey gear that was not going to be used anymore. After filling an entire hotel elevator full of gear and hauling it to the room, he turned around and sold the gear for nearly double the price he paid. In total, Sam has flipped 31 different vehicles from ATVs to the most common golf cart. Sam also continues to sell hockey equipment which he buys from pros or collegiate athletes. He cleans the gear and sells it for three times the buying price. He’s saving his money and hopes to get a bachelors or masters degree in Business Management to continue his money-making passion. The golf cart business may be shortlived, but the experiences and lessons he has learned will last throughout his career. 17
18 October 2015| Issue 1
E R MO A N A TH O T O H P
Kate Anderson donates 80 percent of all profits to building homes in Nicaragua and helping an orphanage in Mexico.
Lead photo and Story By: Reagan Shea ‘18, Lilly Butsch ‘18, Mia Costa ‘18
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lick! Whir! Snap! These are just few sounds Senior Kate Anderson hears everyday as she captures the beauty of every moment with her Canon Rebel T4i. Anderson found her love for photography in eighth grade as she ventured around town with her best friend Emma, taking pictures of whatever they could find. In 2014, Anderson began to make a career out of her growing passion by creating her own photography business called “Sustainable Photography.” She shoots senior pictures, formals, family photos, tournaments, charity events, sports photography, and weddings. She’s not your average teenage photographer. Anderson takes her pictures for something bigger than herself. “I donate 80 percent of what I make to the children of La Casa Irekua in Morelia, Mexico as well as the families living and working in the dumps of Granada, Nicaragua,” Anderson said. 19
On RJ service trips, Anderson was touched by the happiness the kids were fulfilled with when they got to use her camera and experience the world through a different lens. “Although the kids at La Casa had gone through traumatic experiences, I only experienced their joy,” she said. When Anderson returned home from her first service trip to Mexico, she asked herself how she could help keep the smile on the faces of the kids in La Casa Irekua lingering. She decided to transform two things she was passionate about, photography and service, into a good cause. The money donated to Mexico provides diapers, cleaning supplies, art supplies, food, and much more in order to create a better life for the families of La Casa Irekua. The money that goes to Nicaragua is used for materials and to ensure employment of the native Nicaraguans to build more homes. Over time, she has donated an estimated $3,500 to the families of La Casa Irekua and Granada. Anderson is passionate about educating the people of her community about the importance of donating as well as stress the reality of the extreme poverty that lives in our world. “My mission is to help fund the La Casa and International Samaritan but further to educate my Denver community about the people I care so deeply for,” Anderson says. Anderson showcased her work at an art gallery this summer and gave visitors a chance to see the stories of the people of
20 October 2015| Issue 1
La Casa and Granda come alive through her photography. She stresses the fact that we are the voices of those who cannot speak and how important it is to use our voices through our actions. “There is a life beyond comfortable suburban lives of Lexus’ and Chick-Fil-A,”she says. Generally, Anderson shoots environmental portraits in order to extend a person’s story beyond the lens of her camera. “I prefer to shoot my clients in places that are meaningful to them in order to help capture the genuine essence of a person and their story behind the picture.” One of Anderson’s favorite places to shoot is Downtown Denver, as she gets to explore her hometown doing what she loves. She would like to continue her photography business as long as possible, hoping that this project continues throughout her life. The service trips that she has experienced were life changing, as she continues to devote her time, talent, and treasure to the families of La Casa Irekua and Granada. “There is never a day I go without thinking about the people I met in Mexico and Nicaragua,” Anderson explains. “They have truly shaped my heart and made me a global citizen. I have a voice, where most women or children in their circumstances are silenced, so I use my voice to advocate for them.”
FOLLOW US.
WE PUBLISH DAILY. RJTODAY.ORG 21
THE ESSENTIALS: HEIST FILMS By Jack Doherty ‘16
THE USUAL SUSPECTS
In a similar fashion to “Reservoir Dogs”, Brian Singer's debut film changed the way heist stories were told. An instant classic, “The Usual Suspects” captured audiences with it's flash back telling of a heist gone wrong. The story of Keyser Söze will forever be remembered as one of the most well put together mysteries the film industry has ever seen. Kevin Spacey, who plays Roger "Verbal" Klint, won an Oscar for the film, and his performance essentially turned him into the star he is today. There is one thing that truly sets this film aside from the rest, and it is the simple fact that it has the single greatest ending in the history of cinema. That's enough said.
INSIDE MAN
2006 was a good year for movies. “Casino Royale” reinvigorated the Bond franchise, “The Departed” reinvigorated the mob genre, and a film called "Inside Man" was released and now is often over looked. Clive Owen and Denzel Washington star and both are their usual cool selves. In the film, Owen's character, Dalton Russell, is the bank robber all other bank robbers wish they could be; Cool, calm, and smarter than everyone else. Denzel, while his character seems very linear on paper, was brilliant as hostage negotiator Keith Frazer. Being the fourth collaboration between director Spike Lee and Denzel, it is hard to go wrong here, especially if this is the first time you've heard of it.
OCEAN’S ELEVEN This was an easy pick, but the real difficulty was deciding which version to talk about. While I am an avid viewer of classic films and especially ones starring Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin, I chose to go with he modern telling of Danny Ocean and his crew. While it is hard to replace Frank and Dean, George Clooney and Brad Pitt handled it masterfully. A true tribute to the genre, 2001’s Ocean’s 11 captured the cool, stylish, and classy tones of the original, but was able to seamlessly add a modern flair through the incredible chemistry between its stars. For a film that has a heist so intelligent, yet just as pleasing to look at, this is a clear winner.
RESERVOIR DOGS It is really hard to imagine that a heist film could be considered one of the best when the audience never sees the actual heist. Well, in Quentin Tarantino's masterpiece, that is just the case. For the average viewers, early Tarantino films like this one, find it difficult to grasp because of the focus on dialogue. This is to be expected, but for those willing to sit down and give their attention, it is easy to see the brilliance in this film. With a cast so perfectly put together that it would be a travesty if anyone else was to be included, the viewing experience is turned into something beyond normality. The actors deliver their lines so effortlessly that one would feel as if they are watching the actors through a window. I can't really say much more without spoiling it, but if an intro to Tarantino's work is needed, look no further than this 1992 classic.
22 October 2015| Issue 1
FROM THE ARCHIVES
RAIDER REVIEW, 1982 Each issue we will take a look back at Regis Jesuit student media from the past. This editorial was published in the Raider Review, Vol. XLVI, February 5, 1982. Editor: James Dillon.
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OICES V UNHEARD Hear from the homeless that have had their voices taken from them. Photos and Story By: Nathan Shutts ‘16 and Sam Russell ‘16
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hey sit on the sidewalks fighting to make it through their day. Their cups jingle with loose change and their signs plead for help. Few take the time to stop and listen to their voices. According to Urban Peak, there are sixteen thousand homeless people in Denver to date. The Metro Denver Homeless Initiative lists that six thousand of these persons look for shelter solely in the Denver Metro Area. Whether it’s their jingling cups or their musical talents, each person has a story; a voice. Seniors Nathan Shutts and Sam Russell went out and listened to some of those voices, and this is their story. These are the Voices Unheard.
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“People don’t take me seriously. Is he crazy? Is he on drugs? They don’t realize I’m just acting. I’m not drunk, I’m not on drugs. I’m just having fun.”- Robo Mike
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“Music is something you can do when you’re sad, when you’re happy, music has all kinds of emotions, you can make it speak for you.” - Josh
“No matter what you do on the outside, please be you on the inside.” - The piano player
“I worked for nearly 20 years. I worked my ass off. A lot of people think I’m lazy by passing judgment and by looking at me.” -Michael
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WAYS TO HELP Participate in the Homeless Plunge Women’s Homeless Initiative Join Key Club and work with Habitat for Humanity
DONATE TO
CADRE CLUB Visit the Soup Kitchen with Arrupe Club
28 October 2015| Issue 1
DROP OFF SOME SOCKS OUTSIDE THE BD HUB
HERE’S A LOOK AT WHAT WE ARE WORKING ON FOR OUR NEXT ISSUE.
2PHILLY4POPE FRANCIS
CATCHING UP W/ JESS LEWIS ‘15 & TIM LYNOTT ‘15
HOMEWORK LOAD
FENOGLIO WORLD CUP BEING CATHOLIC IN AMERICA
PHOTO CLUB
COLLEGE COUNSELING
HOMELESS PLUNGE
IDEAS?
SEND THEM TO US ON SOCIAL MEDIA USING HASHTAG #RJMEDIASTORIES 29
LIGHTEN UP: A lighting crew member moves the spotlight across the stage, directing the audience’s attention to the lead of the play. “With lights I can DANCING QUEENS: In make the audience feel conjunction with making the show run something,” says head of lights crew, Miranda Moll smoothly, one more thing is added ‘18. “If I want them to feel to the crew’s to do list: The Bobby angry, I can make them feel G Awards. The Regis Jesuit theatre angry.” program is entering the prestigious contest, competing with schools on a national scale. The award show itself is modeled after the Tony Awards, with representatives of the nominees from around the country. Participants have shows adjudicated by professional musical theatre experts, who will ultimately decide the winners. “It’s certainly scary and stressful. Knowing there’s an adjudicator in the audience will make me more nervous before the play,” says male lead, Ethan Clock ‘18. Although stressful, the “How to Succeed” team is locked and loaded for the weeks ahead. Photo: Caitlyn Tyree ‘17
TEAM EFFORT:
Sophomore Austin Williams tightens a screw on one of the set’s wooden frames. With rehearsals well under way, crew is in full swing. Build, lights, sound, and costume crews are all working hard to ensure a successful production.
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FALLING FOR THE FALL PLAY THE STORY BEHIND “HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS (WITHOUT EVEN TRYING)” Photos and Story By: Anastasia Conley ‘18, Caitlyn Burke ‘18, and Julia Weis ‘18
The title of this fall’s play may be “How to Succeed in Business (Without Really Trying),” but putting on a production is anything but effortless. When the curtains swing open on the first night and the play makes its debut, what unfolds before you is the result of months of hard work and a ton of passion.
“A lot of people are more focused on the cast but in the end it’s the people behind the scenes that make it all really come together,” says head set designer Sydney Filippi ‘18.
CLOCK IN: The lead of the play, Ethan Clock, steps on stage to sing his lines. He’s a natural. “When I was about five I saw my sister doing a dance recital and I told my mom I want to be on that stage. I auditioned for some shows and I realized I loved it,” Clock said.
HEAR ME ROAR: Not only is “How to Succeed” a comedy, it’s also a musical, something very familiar to the cast and crew. RJ Theater uses a student-led chorus as well as a student orchestra pit, contrary to the mainstream use of professional musicians. Regis Jesuit musicians are both talented and motivated enough to pull off the rather daunting task.“The music is jazzy. It’s really jazzy,” Pantoja said. “I know Mr. Tim Sauer is a jazz guy so it’s something where I love the music. It’s something that’s really poppy and fun,” Pantoja says about the genre of the “How to Succeed” soundtrack. The fun, poppy style fits the 60’s setting and adds to the comedic feel of the production as a whole audience. Audiences are sure to be dancing in their seats along with the actors on stage.
VIDEO EXTRA! Go behind the scenes Check out rjtoday.org for more.
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WE’RE CHANGING THINGS UP.
MORE COVERAGE. MORE CONSISTENCY. MORE RJ SPORTS LIVE ONLINE. RJTODAY.ORG/RJTVSPORTS 32 October 2015| Issue 1
IMPRESSIONS MAGAZINE TAKES PHOTOGRAPHY, ART & WRITING SUBMISSIONS.
Submit at Rjtoday.org/impressions or visit the RJ Media Lab during lunch on Wednesdays. Photo: Tommy Gaessler ‘16 33
On this special Friday, the freshman class truly became part of the Regis Jesuit family. From hand prints on the faces, the sprint across the football field, and then the loudest cheering, this introduction to the community will be a memorable night for many years to come. Photos: Jack Diaz Doherty ‘16
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D I A R
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A New Coach At a New Altitude FROM ARIZONA TO COLORADO, COACH FILLEMAN BRINGS THE SAME ATTITUDE TO RJ By Ben Staeyart ‘16, Tyler Ballinger ‘16. Photos by: Sam Russell ‘16
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frustrating first half reflects off of each individual player in the Stutler Bowl visiting locker room. Senior tight end Jack Stoll looks around the locker room containing his dejected teammates. He grabs his helmet, straps it on, yells “come on,” and leads the charge out onto the field. The door to the locker room shuts behind the last Regis Jesuit football player as halftime comes to a close. Down ten to zero, it is now that new head coach Dan Filleman must apply his halftime adjustments to lead a comeback into the second half. Filleman steps out into the fresh Friday night air, the fans are cheering, and the opposing team lurks on the sidelines. It’s a new environment, but the same situation for Dan Filleman. Filleman is entering his nineteenth year coaching high school football. In high school he played multiple positions including running back, quarterback, and defensive back. He went on to play wide receiver for the University of Northern Arizona. Filleman has traveled 888 miles from Liberty public High School in Peoria, Arizona to continue the winning traditions of RJ football that former head coach Mark Nolan left behind for Notre Dame Prep in Scottsdale, Arizona. So far Filleman enjoys the change in scenery. A father of three sons, Filleman and his wife Caitlin are looking forward to life in Colorful Colorado. “We got the big epic ski pass this year so the kids will love Colorado. There are a lot of things for my kids to do. We’re just trying to see if we can make it through a winter though first,” Filleman said. From 2008-2014, Filleman led the Division II Liberty lions to six seasons with records above .500. 36 October 2015| Issue 1
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VIDEO EXTRA! Go behind the scenes Check out rjtoday.org for more.
38 October 2015| Issue 1
In four of those seasons the Lions won ten or more games. In 2014, Filleman lead the By Lions to their first Division II Final, resulting in a Ben Staeyloss to their bitter rival, Centennial. Filleman knows the hard work and ded-art ication it takes to be a successful high school ‘16, Tyler football coach. He says it’s like a poker game. BallA coach in high school football does not get to recruit, and as a result he has to be successful playing the hands he is dealt. Essentially, coaches get players based on the luck of the draw. Filleman believes that he has been dealt four very powerful cards in Seniors Jack Stoll, Ace Escobedo, Alec Barnes, and Drew Schlegel. “I think we have certain places that we are loaded at. On the defensive line we have Ace, and at linebacker, Schlegel. They are two special kids. On offense we have Jack Stoll and Barnes at running back. We’ve got great talent,” said Fileman. Coach Filleman recognizes the effort that his players devote to their training so that they can help themselves and RJ football become successful and he feels that he has to be as prepared as the players for an upcoming game. Coach Filleman watches film whenever he gets the time. Students, players, and even faculty can find Filleman in his office or classroom watching film “If I don’t have class then I watch film. I don’t want to say it’s all I do, but I owe it to the kids to be prepared as I can for each week,“ Filleman said. Filleman also utilizes a drone that flies over the football field that captures everything the team is doing during drills so that they can watch it the next day. It gives the team a unique point of view similar to the one produced by cameras above National Football League players during their own games. The players praise his ability to recognize the situation and call the most effective play for the offense to convert a first down or score a touchdown. “He really knows the game well. If he knows that the defense is stacking the box to stop the run, then he will call a play action pass to counter that,” Stoll said. Filleman brings a new style of offense. He runs more shotgun formations that allow senior quarterback Michael Pavlakovich to use his swift athletic ability to better lead the offense. Despite all of the pressure to win in football, Filleman believes that football is not all about winning. “We want to make it fun. Kids play… everyone plays when they’re having fun. And when they are having fun they play for each other,” Filleman said.
ACE ANCHORS DEFENSE By Ben Staeyart ‘16, Tyler Ballinger ‘16 Photos: Sam Russell ‘16
“One hut...Two hut.. Go!” Ace Escobedo reads the snap count powers through the center, who is unlucky enough to be assigned Escobedo as his read, and throws the opposing quarterback to the ground. It’s the first sack of his high school career. What a milestone. A freshman defensive lineman rarely sacks an experienced varsity quarterback. But that is what Senior nose tackle/defensive tackle Ace Escobedo is...rare. It did not take Escobedo long to tackle freshman and junior varsity competition on his way to varsity football. Now, four years later as a senior, he is committed to The University of Pennsylvania to continue his football and academic career at an Ivy League institution. “I’ve been blessed to have all of my teammates, coaches and friends support me through the selection process, but most importantly I am very grateful to my parents for being my biggest supporters. They allowed me to go to Regis which has been a great experience so far,” said Escobedo. Escobedo has taken on the role of being a leader in the locker room whenever his team needs a lift. He has been the one to take charge and pump his teammates up before they exit the locker room to take on any team that tries to oppose them on the field. Realizing his freshman year that he has the talent and ability to be a force to be reckoned with on the football field, Escobedo took it
upon himself to put in the work and never give up no matter what his training throws at him. “I’ve changed in the weight room and also during my homework. Now I tell myself one more rep until my arms and legs feel dead. When I’m doing homework or studying, I tell myself that I need to just focus for another thirty minutes or whatever so that I can get a good grade. My approach has really helped me,” Escobedo said. The pressure of playing football at an Ivy League school can sometimes be daunting for a new commit, but Escobedo seems unfaded by that pressure. He is looking forward to his time at Penn with excitement for what it holds for him and he is ready to adjust to be successful if necessary. “I’m a defensive lineman, so I hope that I will be playing on the line. If the coach there has other plans then I am ready to adjust if it is necessary. I’m not too worried about it,” said Escobedo. Escobedo is a player that has not only put in the work on the field but also off the field in the classroom as evident from his recent commitment to Penn. It has been a long four-year journey filled with great victories and tough defeats, but it has been worth it. “I feel like I’m right where I want to be. My hard work has paid off and now I’m going to an Ivy league university to play football and improve my game even more,” Escobedo said.
Q&A
UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA COMMIT JACK STOLLS’S PERSPECTIVE
Q: What are your goals for the season?
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: Our goal is obviously to win the state championship.
Q: What has been your biggest accomplishment this season?
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: Beating Mullen. We went out there, played well and got the win against a big rival.
Q: Where do you draw your inspiration from? A: From my cousins who played football before me. I saw how much fun they had, so I try to go out and have as much fun as I can.
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MY DAY WITH MIKE KLIS
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40 October 2015| Issue 1
s we pulled up in the Burger King drive through line, Mike ordered a Whopper -no onion, no mayo -and a Diet Coke. This wasn’t a routine order for the 9News sports reporter, because nothing is ever routine at Mike’s job. Mike Klis is the Denver Broncos insider and analyst for 9News. Klis watches practice, film, games, talks to players, writes his column, hosts a show called “The Notebook”, travels with the team, and reports from the sideline. He’s on call around the clock. “Mike is like a bloodhound,” said Denver Broncos Public Relations Manager Patrick Smyth, “always sniffing out a scoop to write about.” Klis was not handed the position; he told me about how some of his mistakes in college hindered him from being able to immediately pursue his dreams. “My dream job was Sports Illustrated for the longest time when I was a writer. I actually went to school to be a broadcaster. I wanted to be the Chicago Cubs play-by- play guy, that was my ulti-
mate dream job.” Klis never got the chance to work for ESPN or the Cubs, but refused to let that stop him from ultimately becoming a sports writer. According Klis’ 9News biography, after college he worked as “a gas station/ convenient store clerk, a snowshoveler, a part-time sports announcer for a now defunct Aurora radio station, a part-time sports writer for the Oswego Ledger-Sentinel, an umpire, basketball referee and player-coach of the Shuler’s Drugstore slo-pitch softball team.” In 1987, after washing pots and pans and announcing play by play for Colorado Springs Christian High School, Klis was offered a job at the Gazette Telegraph. From there, he bounced up to college level announcing and eventually joined the Denver Post in 1998. Today, Klis’ experience and talent in the field of writing is recognized the second he steps into the Broncos practice stadium. Rewind six hours. During the practice, reporters made small talk, jotted
down notes, and soaked in every event that occurred on the field. Routine? Boring? Quite the opposite. The media area is not where the action happens during practice, everything occurs on the field. And the field is anything but routine and boring, because nobody knows what will happen next; not the players, nor Coach Gary Kubiak (who stands in the middle of the field and watches every step of every play). If you’re not watching close enough, you’ll miss a step. And just like in football, being off by one step makes all the difference. “Pick it T.J.!!” yells excited David Bruton Jr. (Safety) as T.J. Ward goes up to intercept the football. “Set, Hit!” Von Miller starts dancing to the blasting radio which plays Lil Jon’s “Outta Your Mind.” “Set, Hit!” Shane Ray slides and is slow getting up from a drill, this could be a season ending injury or he has just slipped, it can often go either way. Inju-
ries are the horrific shadow which loom over every player, regardless of whether or not it is a simple practice drill, or a big hit during a game, injuries are unpredictable and frequent in this sport. “Set, Hit!” Kubiak pulls a few players off to the side and gives them advice. The horn blows for the end of practice, and Klis introduces me to receiver Emmanuel Sanders. After shaking hands and talking briefly, Sanders looks back at the practice field and flashes his million-dollar smile. It was in this moment I realized I am right where the magic happens. Klis puts that magic into words, giving the reader insight into the game of football. The young journalists flock towards players to try and catch an interview, but Klis remains poised in the background, listening. If Klis wants to talk to a player, that player tends to find him. I race around the field to different groups of reporters interviewing players and coaches, getting the chance
to see Brock Osweiler, Gary Kubiak, and Trevor Siemian talk to the media. Siemian reminds me of myself, a new player to the field who doesn’t quite fit in the system and is always looking to improve. Klis is like the Manning of journalists, and I am his third or fourth or maybe eighth string quarterback, hanging onto his every word about how I can improve my journalism. Klis kindly offers me a ride back in his car, which is a bit old and worn down. He jokes about how the vehicle is one of the “perks” of being a journalist. We pull into the Burger King drive through line for a quick lunch before he drops me off. Our conversation is interrupted with Welcome to Burger King, may I take your order please? Mike Klis thinks about his response carefully, then answers. Photos and Story By: Connor Lyford ‘18
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CROSS COUNTRY
Coach Andrew Drysdale calls his runners in after they warm up on the field, the enthusiasm visible on his face. They gather around him, giving him their attention and respect, and a feeling of community and support radiates from the circle. Captains Parker Churchill and Julia Vitella listen closely to the plan for the day, and as soon as they are let loose, they lead the pack with confidence and determination. Drysdale’s efforts have transformed cross country into a passionate and thriving team. He ran cross country in both high school and college, giving him the foundation to coach. “It’s a natural transition to give back and share the passion of the sport,” Drysdale said. His experience has been a vital asset in training the team. Last year during his first year coaching at Regis Jesuit, Drysdale led both girls and boys to the state championship. It was the first time in years that had happened.
“As a coach, he pushes us harder, and he knows what he is doing. He has a strategy which helps us as a team,” Vitella said. Senior captain Katie Schilmoeller added that, “He loves being a team, and that’s what we have become.” Coach Drysdale has unwavering faith that this team can go all the way. But it’s a process. “There is always that potential for growth. They have potential to be a state qualifier by the time they’re a senior,” Drysdale said. Drysdale’s goal for this year is “to make a gradual change to a culture of success, where it’s expected to qualify for state and to win meets.” A significant change he has made this year was dropping the open team to make the team more competitive. “You don’t know the potential of athletes until they run,” he said. His goal for the program is to get away from being seen as a club activity and to be seen as a sport.
Both the boys (eighth) and the girls (sixth) moved up a spot after wins at the Continental League Championships as they battle for state qualifiers. Jack Davidson and Julia Vitella had qualifying races. Even with the big changes, Drysdale does respect the fact that there are traditions, mentioning that, “You don’t want to come into a program and just blow it up.” Katie Schilmoeller shares Drysdale’s devotion to tradition and commitment to hard work. “It’s all worth it in the end. At the end of the day it’s all about who worked their butts off and who sold themselves short. That’s the only thing that separates the good from the great,” Schilmoeller said.
Head Coach Rick Wolf has been pushing for a tough, hard-working team. This year he has that. “The boys have become a very blue-collar team, always willing to work hard and push themselves. That’s a very different team from the one we had five years ago,” Wolf said. This year, Coach Wolf has rebuilt his team over the summer on a
things around this season. “With over ten seniors on our team, it should really be our goal to make it to the playoffs, and hopefully win a few of those playoff games,” Giardino said. The varsity coaching staff has been very impressed with the work that the boys have put in. “They never want to stop working, they always seem to be pushing
Photo and Story By: Erika Rasmussen ‘16
Photo and Story By: Connor Lyford & Jack Engelmann ‘18
BOYS SOCCER
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foundation of senior leadership and a few key underclassmen. “We work well together,” said sophomore Colin Giardino,“everyone is bringing something to the team.” The team spent the summer working on set pieces and technical work to get ready for the challenging season ahead. Since they did not make it to the playoffs last year, varsity looks to turn
to new limits,” Wolf said. The determined mentality of the team is paying off. The team is 4-3 in league and 5-6 overall, suffering close losses along the way. They had a competitive showing at the Jesuit Classic and currently rank fifth in the Continental League standings.
BOYS GOLF
STATE CHAMPS - The seniors proudly display the championship trophy and banner. The team won the 5A State Championship over Coronado High School and Lakewood High School. Andrew McCormick sealed the win with a par on the 18th hole. This is a huge win for Regis Jesuit, beating last year’s champions, Coronado, who had ended Regis Jesuit’s four year winning streak. Regis Jesuit sent Cal McCoy, Andrew McCormick, Bennett Rodgers, and Tyler Zhang, up to Fort Collins to compete for the win. [Look for our full story in our next issue].
FIELD HOCKEY
Read the stories on rjtoday.org
VOLLEYBALL SOFTBALL Photo and Story By: Erika Rasmussen ‘16 and Stephanie Llorente ‘16 eam captain Mary Emmerling waits low and ready, the Rocky Mountains a beautiful backdrop behind the rugby pitch. She receives the ball and takes off again; the passion she has for her sport is evident in her concentration and vigor. The sport, Girls Rugby, the root of Emmerling’s passion, may be in danger. Regis Jesuit is part of only five clubs in Colorado with high school girls rugby programs. The RJ program was founded in 2006 by Erin Connor ‘07 and our very own Ms. Glenn, Girls Division science teacher. The team has been largely successful, but the in last few years, things have taken a turn. The 2011-2012 season brought over 25 girls out to the pitch, but once the seniors graduated, the team took a serious hit. Numbers shrunk by ten and continued to shrink, now totaling thirteen girls. “Last year we actually had to end the season early because we didn’t have enough people,” Emmerling said. “Our team wasn’t growing enough.” To save the program, Emmerling put a lot of time and energy into recruiting new girls to play, not only for her love of the sport, but to share that love with others. “I haven’t met a single person who hasn’t
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GIRLS RUGBY
loved it,” Emmerling said. A common misconception about rugby is that it is extremely dangerous, which potentially scares athletes away. “Just like any sport, there’s risk for injury. But if you do it right, it’s fine,” Emmerling said. Despite her valiant efforts, it was still necessary to make a change. The decision was made to switch from fifteen people a side to seven, a more difficult rugby formation that requires more running. Through these challenges, the rugby girls remain positive, and the love they have for their team never falters. “It helps me grow more in the sisterhood, because I bond more with the underclassmen that you wouldn’t normally meet,” senior Kenzie Harris said. “It’s where I can focus on something other than what’s going on in my life.” The sisterhood that Harris described is obvious in the team’s openness and devotion. “Rugby has been the light of my life for the past four years. You get really close to each other really fast,” Emmerling described, explaining the tight-knit support-system that the sport has become to her. “I think everyone should try it at least once in their lifetime. There’s something for every43 body,“ she says.
BROTHERS AT THEIR BEST KOSZOWSKI TWINS ON A ROLL
STORY AND PHOTOS BY: KATIE ERNST ‘16 This is not Venus and Serena. The Williams sisters have a fierce competitive relationship, while the Koszowksi twins center their relationship lovingly, using that to their advantage to bolster their tennis game. Returning varsity tennis players, friends, and brothers, Tommy and Max Koszowksi not only hold the top two spots on varsity at one and two singles, but the pair are on a mission to surpass their successes from the 2014 season where Max, alongside former doubles partner, Luca Abbott ‘17 were state champions and Tommy alongside his partner, Patrick Seby ‘17 were state qualifiers. These tight-knit brothers remain undefeated, so all that’s left to do is continue playing heading into the post-season. Little did the Koszowski’s father know that nearly 11 years after introducing his sons to the game, they would wind up at state for their high school team.
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Soccer and basketball had always been the priority for Max and Tommy, while tennis remained on the back-burner until just last year. They began entering tournaments and playing competitively. Soon after picking the sport up again, not only did they love it, but as Max said they “realized we were kind of good and had potential to improve.” They decided it was time to get serious and take the first step in becoming one and two singles. During the summer before senior year, Tommy and Max recruited an outside coach, woke up early countless days, and stole as much court time as possible. They knew going from 1 doubles and 4 doubles to the top singles spots would be a huge jump, so they did everything in their power to make their goal a reality. Not only do Tommy and Max spend ten or more hours on the court together every week, but for
the second year in a row, they have identical class schedules. Luckily, the brothers thrive on their time together. “We’ve always played together outside of Regis so it isn’t out of the ordinary for us [playing together at school] and is, really, just a lot of fun,” Tommy said. In place of a rivalry between the two, they feel the fun is in simple, clean, and friendly competition. As the brothers look at each other and chuckle, Max acknowledges that, “Tommy is a little better than I am. I know that, but we’ve never had a rivalry in school and especially not in tennis. It’s all in the friendly competition.” Not only is the competition between the two friendly, but their parents are at nearly every tournament and match, being equally supportive, unless, in Tommy’s words, “one of us is getting beaten pretty badly,” he says with a laugh, “then they’ll focus more on whoever is having the tougher time.” Both hope to continue playing in college. Tommy is predominantly looking at smaller Division I and Division III schools (not Division II because of their academic standings) with the prospect of club at CU Boulder. Max, however, is leaning heavily towards club in order to stay with his tennis game while enjoying college without the intensity of the school team. Ultimately, in their opinion, all that matters is that they continue to play for their own happiness and mere love for the sport. Before Tommy and Max move on, there is a team goal to be in the top four in the state. (The team is competing in state as this magazine is going to print.) This is one they believe with their solidity and depth is attainable despite the stiff competition they’ll face. “This year at Regis [Jesuit] will just be great and an improvement on last year. Our team is really good and we’re excited,” Tommy said looking toward state. As this magazine goes to print, both Tommy and Max have won their first round matches in the state tournament.
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t. Ignatius expected members of this order to “give and not to count the cost.” This high school has earned the name Regis Jesuit because of its ability to stay true to these ideals, and to create a strong educational environment in which God is seen in all things. Regis Jesuit is set apart by “deeper prayer life, individual relationships with God, spiritual engaging of the world and distinct concern for social justice.” - Mr. Jim Broderick-King ‘87, Ignation Identity Coordinator. 46 October 2015| Issue 1
Our Jesuit Roots To live the way of the Jesuits is to be more and do more. Jesuit education is about intellectual rigor, selflessness, and giving up everything for the greater glory of God. To live the way of the Jesuits is to be brave. A Jesuit education reflects that and produces people that are “Marines of God;” people who look into the unknown and offer their blind hand. As St. Ignatius said, a Jesuit is any person who “desires to serve as a solider to God.” WE HAVE HISTORY The founder of the Jesuits embodies the bravery inherent in this Catholic order. St. Ignatius was a rebellious man. Ignatius became a soldier and after becoming severely wounded in battle, found God, and through that, a new way of life. That way of life became a Catholic order in the Church which focused heavily on service and education. Ignatius expected members of this order to “give and not to count the cost.” This high school has earned the name Regis Jesuit because of its ability to stay true to these ideals, and to create a strong educational environment in which God is seen in all things. Regis Jesuit is set apart by “deeper prayer life, individual relationships with God, spiritual engaging of the world and distinct concern for social justice” said Mr. Jim Broderick-King, Regis Jesuit’s Ignation Identity Coordinator. These values encapsulate the meaning of the Jesuit order. WE VOLUNTEER 175 hours. For nearly eight days worth of time, each student is expected to give themselves to any person or place in need of service, otherwise, they are unable to graduate. Upperclassmen cherish the opportunity to serve and they are given this opportunity through two weeks of service projects at places like hospitals, schools, and impoverished countries. Regis Jesuit’s “Day For Others” is another way Regis Jesuit gives back and it takes place every September. Mr. Chris Kellerman, who is new to Regis Je-
Bringing us back to our traditions and values for the greater glory of God. Photos and Story By: Sarah Darley ‘17, Georgia Ray ‘17, Claire Hummel ‘17, Katie Maxfield ‘17
suit and studying to be a Jesuit himself, says that he is, “impressed and energized by the commitment to Jesuit and Ignition spirituality at Regis” and that he sees the spirit of God in all the kids that sign up for Day for Others and other service opportunities. Teaching students to serve their community instills a valuable lesson within them that will be there the rest of their lives. Regis Jesuit molds people that will, as St. Ignatius says, “go forth and set the world on fire.” WE PRAY To devote oneself to God is to be in constant communication with Him. Prayer and self-reflection are key components to connecting with Jesuit values. Regis Jesuit practices making those connections by praying four times a day over the intercom. Examen is one of the most important of those four prayers. After lunch, students are given that opportunity to meditate through reflection and have a direct conversation with God for three minutes. This centers everyone in the building to realign themselves with God in their life throughout the day. WE GO TO SEE THE POPE! Six seniors, Chibueze Agwu, Elly Fangman, Davis Handler, Hector Peralta, Cassidy Roderick and Erin Whitaker, along with teachers Eric Ptolemy ‘07 and Mary Muldoon Weis, traveled to Philadelphia for the “Ignation Pilgrims on the Journey” pilgrimage hosted by St. Joseph’s Prep Jesuit high school. Look for the full story in our next issue. WE STAND UP FOR LIFE The Pro Life Club strongly supports the idea that each and every life has value as well as an important purpose, so they do all that they can to raise awareness and to support single moms who take care of their babies. ProLife club holds an annual diaper drive. Diapers can be very expensive, and the drive helps struggling mothers who cannot afford diapers for their babies. This year, the drive gathered over 21,000 diapers for Denver families.
The diapers were donated to Catholic Charities of Denver and Alternatives Pregnancy Center. WE DONATE TO CADRE Junior Maggie O’Hagan says that she reason she joined CADRE club this year was to, “have an opportunity to give back to the community because sometimes when [she’s] too busy, [she] doesn’t really realize that it’s important to give back to those who don’t have as much as we do.” She added, “We are given a great opportunity here at Regis and it’s important for us to give back to those who don’t.” CADRE is making changes this year to build on the $15,000 raised last year and make the club more accessible to the student body and get its messages out. According to club moderator Ms. Danielle Trollinger, CARDE’s main purpose is to “[come] together as a community to serve people in need one dollar at a time.” This year CADRE will be having lunch sessions during the first Thursday of each month to educate the student body about the various charities they will be serving. This will help to bring the whole school into a greater community and, as Trollinger says, “[CADRE] is about nurturing a greater spirit of generosity within Regis Jesuit and sharing the blessings we have with those in need.” In turn, this will help to bring us all back to our Jesuit roots. CADRE club has come a long way since their early days. The club originally started out with a different name - Padre’s Cadre, and it supported only a mission in Honduras. Now, the club serves many in need in many areas. Moderator Mrs. Sydney Timme says, “CADRE encourages students to think about the blessings they have and to make a generous offering in gratitude to that.” “What I would really love to inspire is for kids to think that because I have so much, however much that is in the range of our students and families here, I can give generously,” Timme says.
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By Reilly Frasier ‘18, Afton Tanner ‘19, Madi Emmerson ‘16 and Emily Wrede
BELIZE - Senior Alexa DeSanctis knew she was making a positive impact in Belize; she brought joy to the children’s lives. “When your kid would see you and their face would light up, and they would jump into your arms because they were so excited to see you,” DeSanctis said. “They worried about having enough food,” she said. The harsh revelations guided in the girls’ relationship with God, and they became aware of how blessed they are. A visit to a Mayan village revealed that the people were unbelievably poor, yet extremely selfless. “They were giving so much, when they had so little to give,” DeSanctis said. While the U.S. is a material world, Belizean people obtain joy from relationships and life. “They teach you about living: ‘Just Be.’ It’s what I needed; I saw what I needed to see. Take time and make life refreshing,” DeSanctis said. The girls found God though selflessness. They became aware of the idea that they were involved in something bigger than themselves. “I realized the power of immersion,” DeSanctis concluded. The Belize delegation blog displays that the delegates learned that children represent love. “The amount of love we feel...a smile can create a special place in our hearts,” they wrote. To immerse themselves in the faithfulness, they needed to let God takeover. They felt guilt as they saw how most people live, yet were simultaneously encouraged to change their own lives because of the manifest love. They discussed how to continue to grow in their faith and live in solidarity. They stated: “We have to view today as a beginning of how we will live the rest of our lives.” GULF COAST IMMERSION Down on his knees exhausted
48 October 2015| Issue 1
WE GO ON IMMERSION TRIPS from hours of work, Mr. Cameron Turner slaps down another tile. His hands are calloused from placing tile after tile. The sounds of the deafeningly loud roar of the power saw cutting wood and tile fill the air of the house. ”It was very physically exhausting, everyone slept very well at night, because you’re working with your body the entire time,” Turner said. Mr. Turner and Ms. Emily Glenn are just two of the many teachers that volunteer on the Gulf Coast service trip as chaperones for the seniors. Regis Jesuit works with The St. Bernard Project on the Gulf Coast immersion trip. They work to build houses for those who have been displaced from their homes. This trip occurs every year when the juniors and the seniors are out of school for their service projects. The Gulf Coast immersion trip is spiritually life changing. Everyday, the reflection time after work helps them realize how lucky they are to have security in their lives. This trip just reminds Mr. Turner and Ms. Glenn of human goodness and the reality of it. “Carry out a random act of kindness, with no expectation of reward, safe in the knowledge that one day someone might do the same for you,” Ms. Glenn quoted Princess Diana when asked about the importance of the trip.
NICARAGUA - Only two nights in to her immersion trip, Cassidy Roderick is convinced she won’t make it back home. Having found a tarantula in her shower, then a scorpion in her room she wonders what more could be waiting for her on the trip. Roderick looks back on the beginning of her immersion trip now able to laugh at her own panic. A fond memory she takes from her trip is the game ‘pato pato gato’, an improvised form of duck-duck goose that the kids in Nicaragua thoroughly enjoyed. Cassidy suggests that any students
taking part in the immersion trips go in with an open mind and no expectations. Immersion trips leave students with a new perspective and memories that they will cherish forever. Senior Ellie Fangman recounts, “The worst part of my trip was probably leaving.” While on her trip, Ellie Fangman says that the mother of a Nicaraguan family inspired her, and always held so much joy. Ellie looks back with a smile about how this mother showed gratitude for everyone on the trip.
GUATEMALA - Even peers starting the trip with nerves are pleasantly shocked by the gratitude they received and the level of both poverty, and joy they recognized on the trip. In Guatemala, each received a piece of beautiful pottery, made with care and treasured by the students. Having very little, the children that students met during their immersion trips are able to show their gratitude and look at life with a happiness and hope that inspires Regis peers. Senior Bennett Rogers and classmates remember playing a spirited game of soccer with kids in Guatemala. On dirt fields, without nets or shoes but nevertheless excited to being playing. “I’ve never seen kids so happy before in my life,” Rogers said.
VIDEO EXTRA! Go behind the scenes Check out rjtoday.org for more.
BE JESUIT. Volunteer.
Lead. Pray.
Love.
% 4 9
Of students surveyed think CADRE’s purpose is important
“Helping those less fortunate than us is something that God has called us to do so for a group of kids here at Regis to be giving money to help people, it shows how unified we are with God’s teachings.” - Adrianne Bergmann ‘19
WE SURVEYED THE STUDENT BODY ABOUT CADRE VIA EMAIL AND RECEIVED 280 RESPONSES. HERE’S WHAT YOU SAID. 54% of students donate an average of
$1-3
47%
Of students donate on a regular basis
“I think CADRE is a great cause. I always want to donate because I always am reminded that I am very fortunate to be getting a top quality education and I am able to afford many things that others cannot.” - Ron Fishleigh ‘17
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THE EDITORIALS BEFORE SHOTS BEGIN THE TOOL WAFFLE MOMENTS By Colin Byrne ‘16
Yo bro, do you have a pencil? This common question has a simple fix, but the fix is not allowed by our strict rulebook. Backpacks have been outlawed, banished, and turned into the ostracized enemy. Why outlaw such a useful tool? Backpacks get a bad rap. They apparently get in the way when teachers are walking around the classroom, but if students put their backpacks underneath their desks, this problem could be easily solved. Safety issues? That can be solved too. I am sure STUCO could create designated backpack relief zones. For one week, I carried my backpack - willing to take the disciplinary measures - and it made a big difference in my day. The amount of time it saved when I walked from class to class was huge. The normal passing period is five minutes and when coming from The Steele Center I can barley make it to my locker and to my next class in five minutes. Using the backpack eliminated these unnecessary trips to my locker. The backpack not only saves time, but it also helps keep me organized. When all my notebooks and binders are kept in my backpack it ensures that I do not forget anything in my locker when I head home or from class to class. Schools all over the country allow students to bring backpacks into classrooms and Regis Jesuit does not need to be any different. The backpack makes students’ lives easier and relieves them of four trips to their locker. Of course, students should be allowed to choose if they want to carry backpacks or use their locker, but a school based on preparing students for college is not helping them succeed without giving them the proper tool. Visit any college campus and every student has a backpack. Let’s bring back the backpack. 50 October 2015| Issue 1
By Maddie Merritt ‘16
Don’t ask why, but I call little moments of leadership “blueberry waffles moments.” How many of you have had a waffles moment? A moment where someone said something or did something that you feel fundamentally made your life better? And how many of you have told that person that they did it? Well why not? We celebrate something as menial as birthday’s, where all you have to do is not die for 365 days, and yet we let people who have made our lives better walk around without knowing it. Every single one of you has been the catalyst for a waffles moment. You have made someone’s life better by something that you said or that you did, and if you think you haven’t, think about all the hands that didn’t go back up when I asked that question. You’re just one of the people who hasn’t been told like I was. And I know, it’s scary to think of ourselves as having that much power. It is terrifying to think that we can matter that much to other people, because as long as we make leadership something bigger than us, as long as we keep leadership something beyond us, as long as we make it about changing the world, we give ourselves an excuse not to expect it every day from ourselves and from each other. My hope for you is that you get over that fear. A big part of leadership is fear. Fear is going to be a factor no matter what you do, but you get to decide how much.
By Colin Byrne ‘16
If you need to enhance the game with alcohol, why do you come? Just like most fall Friday nights, everyone is having a great time, but a problem lies underneath. Drinking is prevalent at school dances and games. As you come into the game there are always teachers and police guarding the table, briefly scanning students for any red flags. This first line of defense helps deter students from bringing any beverages into the games, but students have figured out that drinking before the game can keep them wasted throughout the game. Across the country, high schools and colleges are struggling with the problem of teen drinking, and in particular, binge drinking. Binge drinking is the consumption of five or more drinks in a row. Twenty-one percent of high school students said that in the last 30 days they have had five or more drinks in a row, according to a 2013 study conducted by the National Center for Disease Control and Prevention. The consequences of binge drinking can range from getting sick to dying from alcohol poisoning. One in 10 deaths among adults aged 20-64 years due to excessive alcohol use, according to the CDC. Drinking at school events is like playing Russian roulette. You may be able to drink and come to any event the first time, but the chances of getting caught gets higher and higher as you get more comfortable. You may not get caught your first time or second time, but each time you enter into a dance or game you are putting your entire Regis Jesuit career on the line. With a hearty annual tuition price of $14,000 and hours of class work why bet the odds? The first time you get caught, you are going to get up to five days of suspension and 30 hours of community service. You will be put on a monthly plan to check for any drugs or alcohol in your system and if that comes back positive you are getting the boot. If getting caught once does not deter you and you get caught a second time, you will be asked to leave the school immediately. Consider what you have to lose: $60,000 in tuition for a senior, the chance to say you graduated from Regis Jesuit, and the loss of the Regis Jesuit family. Why chance it? Teen drinking is risky and dangerous, and before the shots begin, take a step back and consider what you have to lose.
POLITICAL CORRECTNESS. IS IT REALLY CORRECT? By Sarah Darley ‘17
Y
ou are probably familiar with the word “offense”. It is a common but also overused phrase. We are offended by things that didn’t used to be offensive, such as mislabeling or simple naivety. We are pushing an agenda to become more “politically correct” but it is an agenda against ourselves. But what does this even mean? Political correctness is an avoidance of anything that can be perceived as exclusive, hurtful, or insulting to any demographic of people. Does that seem a little broad? It is. And very subjective. Anyone can make the argument that something isn’t politically correct simply because it hurts their feelings. The unfortunate result of this mindset is that any statement can all of a sudden become offensive and suddenly needs to be policed for the sake of feelings. But this extends in the opposite direction. We need political correctness to keep a sense of respect, but this used to be called manners. The line between manners and being “PC” has become blurred. The political correctness card is thrown all too frequently and most often in cases of discomfort when it really should be reserved for excessively pejorative statements, language, actions, or policies. Manners are simply conducting yourself in a civil and respectful way and should be an integral part of society, but our easily offended selves require something that takes this a step further, which is where political correctness comes into being. So how do we know when to be PC or turn the other cheek and move on?
New Hampshire University recently released a “Bias Free Language Guide” which includes guidelines for speech on campus. It asks that, in the name of political correctness, students refrain from using the term “American” in reference to United States citizens because it indicates that the United States is the only country in North and South America. I find it hard to believe that those in Mexico, Central America, or Canada find the term American offensive in reference to U.S. citizens because yes, we are Americans too. The guide also asks that Arabs be referred to as West Asians or North Africans. Seeing as the Middle East is considered neither Africa nor Asia this seems just altogether incorrect, not politically correct. This university seems hard pressed to find examples of actual political incorrectness and is instead turning to innocuous phrases and targeting them as being offensive. I don’t know about you, but I find the lack of the ability to call myself or anyone else an American on New Hampshire University’s campus a blatant example of the very thing they are against; political incorrectness. But, the spectrum goes both ways. Donald Trump raised eyebrows with his broad generalization about Mexican immigrants being criminals and rapists. Political correctness aside, his statement was obnoxiously offensive and we can all agree that Mr. Trump needs some manners. Jeb Bush, however, has been chided as of late for his comments on “anchor babies”. He used this term in reference to Asians in an effort to be more politically correct as the term is typical-
ly used for those crossing the US-Mexico border. His attempt to be more PC only brought more criticism, but this wasn’t the main point Bush was trying to bring to the table in the first place. Instead he was attempting to discuss United States immigration policy, which has also proved to be a sensitive topic in recent months. But does most of the United States population know that this was the discussion he was trying to start? No, because we were all so wrapped up in the attempts he made to be politically correct. Our focus on being correct led us to ignore the actual issue at hand, and if we continue doing this, we will live in a society that only focuses on the wording and labeling of a statement instead of the actual intellectual content. It is the progression towards a vapid and mindless world that places little value in thinking or discussing because of the extreme focus on how we word our thoughts and the way others perceive them. As Regis Jesuit we are extraordinarily privileged to be given freedoms not normally seen at other institutions of education, public or private. We are permitted to freely practice and preach our religion, allowed to speak our minds, and don’t have to abide by a language guide. But, if we follow the path that our entire society and culture is headed down, these things that make us stand apart will quickly become a thing of the past. We can value others feelings. We can empathize. We can have manners. But we need to stop our obsession with being politically correct. And I ask you, Regis Jesuit, where do we draw the line?
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WE TALK ABOUT MUSIC. rjtoday.org/rjradio
52 October 2015| Issue 1