Vol. 8, Issue 9 - Subiaco Academy

A celebration for the season
The
Trojan
Rule
Vol. 8, No. 9 - December 21, 2015
A biweekly publication
of Subiaco Academy
Subiaco, Arkansas
www.subi.org
On December 13 the performing arts students presented
their annual Winter Concert at 4:30 p.m. in the Walter Auditorium of the PAC. The audience enjoyed concerts by the
Vocal Music Class and the Jazz Ensemble. The performance
culminated in a presentation of “Silent Night” by the Guitar
Class.
The Annual Student Christmas Dinner was Sunday (December 13) evening at 6 p.m. This annual event presented by the
Parent Association is a student favorite. The students were
treated to a sit-down formal dinner that was served by parents and members of the faculty/staff. As always, everyone
enjoyed the visit from Jolly Old Saint Nick.
The Advanced Piano students presented a recital on December 10 in the Breaux Foyer of the PAC. The program
began with each student playing a classical piece followed by
a selection of holiday music. Featured pianists were Andrew
Eveld, Daniel Haunert, James Kim, Vincent Le, Cam Phan,
and Max Wheeler. The audience was thoroughly wowed by
these talented students.
The second semester of classes will resume on Tuesday, January 5, at 7:55 a.m.
Both disappointed and encouraged
A long week with four games left the Trojans both disappointed and encouraged. The
week started with games seeing the continued struggles to score. They ended with the
Trojans finding some offense with the hope for answers in future games.
On Tuesday, the Trojans traveled to Dardanelle, an always tough place to play. Facing
one of the better guards in the state, in Jerome Luster, the Trojans had their work cut
out for them. Subiaco did an adequate job on the All Stater, holding him to 19. The
problem for Subiaco was the inability once again to make shots. After falling behind
the hot shooting Sandlizards 17-6, Subiaco righted the ship and took a two point lead
into intermission. Despite doing many things well the second half, the inability to
score would haunt the Trojans as they fell 42-38 on a tough opening conference game.
On Thursday, the Trojans played Sylvan Hills in the opening
round of the Cyclone Classic. The Trojan shooting woes may
have hit bottom, shooting 19% in the first half, to the eventual Tournament champion. Subiaco also suffered several turnovers to go with the dismal
shooting. Despite the woes, the Trojans would remain in the game most of the night
before falling 50-34. On Friday, the Trojans played one of the more talented teams in the
state in Little Rock Christian. The athleticism was something not often seen, with several
D1 players on the floor. The Trojans would succumb to the quickness and pressure of the
eagles early, falling behind by 15 in a matter of minutes. Subiaco would calm themselves in
the last three quarters and found themselves able to function against what was sure to be
the most gifted team they will face this year. Despite the disappointment of another tough
loss, the Trojans felt they made progress in the 61-34 loss.
On Saturday, Subiaco would face Arkadelphia. The noon start time had all the makings of
a lackluster game. Such was not the case, as the Trojans built on their glimpses of improvement. Subiaco played solid defense, but on this day found more aggressiveness on the offensive end, scoring
in a variety of ways, including the three point shot. Building leads of up to 28 points Subiaco would in the end
settle for a very well played 61-45 win, hoping that this game is a sign of things to come. Alex Walker found his offensive game with 20 points to go along with 12 rebounds.. The big lift came from Dominic Hackman coming off
the bench and scoring 19 points, including four shots beyond the arc.
After playing four games in five days and five in the last seven, the Trojans looked to close out the first semester
with hopefully a win against the Apaches from Pottsville. Subiaco did a lot of things right against Pottsville, however, taking care of the ball was not one of them. A tight hard fought game came down to one thing, 28 turnovers. Subi either got a good shot, or turned the ball over. Despite the turnovers, the Trojans were in the game
late with the hope of a good start to the Christmas break. Much of the Trojans problems taking care of the ball
were expected, just not to the extent it was. Pottsville has experienced quick guards who play with a lot of tenacity.
The scrappiness of the Apaches seemed to bother the Trojans as they, on occasion, seemed to toss the ball to the
Apaches for layup drills. The Trojans did exercise their dominance inside with Jakob Bergen, Alex Walker and Beau
Oneal, combining for 30 rebounds. Beau also had a career high of 18 points, followed by Bergen’s 12 and Dominic
Hackman’s 9. But, the turnovers were too much to overcome as the Trojans fell 53-48.
Weekend activities
Dream Team
In early December various students participated in several weekend activities. One group went to the Altitude
Trampoline Park in Little Rock and then enjoyed shopping at Park Plaza Mall. This trip was spear-headed by
Mrs. Kim Plugge and chaperoned by several parents.
Other students stayed on campus and enjoyed an Ultimate Frisbee Tournament behind Heard Hall. Another
opportunity was a trip to Ft. Smith for bowling.
Baptism
Joseph Hart and Mitchell Berry with
Coach Mike Berry at the Ft Smith radio
station “football dream team” banquet on
December 14.
A Christmas message
Aaron Brooks was baptized, confirmed, and received the Eucharist
at the December 20 Mass in the
Abbey Church. Robert Secrest,
residential dean, made his profession of faith and was confirmed
during the same Mass. Fr. Jerome
was the minister of the sacraments. Br. Cassian and Deacon
Roy Goetz were sponsors. Four
months of preparation preceded
the conferring of the sacraments.
If we consider ourselves so unimportant that we must fill every moment of
our lives with action, when will we have
the time to make the long, slow journey
across the desert as did the Magi? Or
sit and watch the stars as did the shepherds? Or brood over the coming of the
child as did Mary? For each one of us,
there is a desert to travel. A star to discover. And a being within ourselves to
bring to life. --Author unknown
Message from the Headmaster
The science labs have been in full use, the jazz ensemble has been in full swing, science awards have been won, quiz bowl matches have been dominated, and writing
competitions have been swept; the cross country team won the district meet, the
tennis team competed well, Trojan football taught lessons in hard knocks, basketball
is gearing up, and college acceptances are rolling in. Track, baseball and soccer are
all practicing routinely; the Hill is lit for Christmas. Fuhrmann Hall is becoming part
of our daily life, Heard Hall continues to receive facility improvements, and the new
bus is in high demand. Boys are playing the piano, guitar, drums, hand bells, and all
sorts of instruments; completing art work on multiple mediums; and learning Mandarin, Spanish, German, history, religion, math and about life. The campus has been
BUZZING, but we are looking forward to the “Silent Night” of Christmas Eve – a
break with extra family time. Then the cold of winter will lead us to long for spring,
and sooner than we expect, graduation! It is simply amazing the amount of work and
effort, sacrifice and rewards, growth and learning that goes on during the course of a
semester. Somehow, I can’t remember last week, but these are times that the boys will
remember for life!
The first semester is in the books with 193 students completing their first two quarters. From all accounts, our
new faculty and students are doing well, and both academics and discipline are above average. Of course, there
are bright spots and low points along the way, and there are still areas where both we and various students need to
improve; however, on the whole, it has been a very calm, smooth semester. This is a testament to the daily work of
the students, but also the deans, teachers, administration and support staff. Thank you!
Merry Christmas to everyone; let’s enjoy some peace and quiet reflecting with awe on the infinite God coming in
the utter weakness of an infant, to an oppressed people, to a poor family displaced from their home and sleeping in
a barn. The mystery is not as an agnostic might say, “Why can’t God make himself more clearly seen?” but that He
has come so close, and we still can’t understand that kind of love. -- Headmaster Matt Stengel
Miracles of St. Benedict Benedict traveled to Monte Cassino, about seventy-five miles southeast of Rome. On
the summit of the mountain where they had decided to build the abbey, there were
groves of trees dedicated to demons and the ruins of a temple where the local folk
still worshipped Apollo.
When Benedict arrived, he destroyed the idol, overturned the altar and cut down the
trees in the sacred groves. He turned the temple of Apollo into a chapel dedicated to
Saint Martin and the altar into a chapel in honor of Saint John the Baptist. In time he
also won many converts to the faith.
While constructing the abbey, the monks came across a stone that could not be
moved. No matter how many monks tried or what force they applied, the stone was
held fast to the ground, and they began to say that the devil himself was holding it
down. The monks asked Benedict to come and use his prayers to drive the devil
away from the stone. The saint prayed, made the Sign of the Cross, and the monks
were able to lift the stone with ease.
(Adapted from St. Gregory’s Dialogues, Book II)
Deacon Roy Goetz - Academy Chaplain