Monarch Spark - Bishop McGann

Monarch Spark
Bishop McGann-Mercy High School - Riverhead, NY
December 2015
Volume 12 Issue 01
Fresh Faces and New Ideas at McGann - Mercy
Katie Brownfiel
that Mercy on a Mission aims
to offer more than just
financial aid this year,
but no further details
have been finalized.
Mercy on a Mission students may be given the
opportunity to visit the
hospital to personally
view where their money
is going. In the past,
representatives from
the club were given
the opportunity to visit
Stony Brook Hospital.
Mercy on a Mission Club counting dress down money.
Having already raised
four thousand dollars, it
Change is an inevitable
promise in life, and it comes with is evident that their charitable efforts are off to a successful start.
fond farewells and enthusiastic
The newest Mercy on a Mission
hellos. Mercy said its fair share
fundraising endeavors include a
of goodbyes last year, but with
movie night and a candy-guessthese goodbyes comes a host of
ing contest. Should you have any
greetings. Mercy is glad to welsuggestions, Mercy on a Mission
come all of the new faculty that
has vocalized its decision to
have joined our community, and
receive feedback. Mrs. Nappi and
we await all of the new changes
Mrs. Springer, the newest addithat are unfolding.
tion to the religion department,
Mercy on a Mission, one of
are available should you have any
the school’s busiest organizaquestions or suggestions.
tions, has already made signifi
Mrs. Springer currently
cant progress and changes with
its charitable goals. The results of teaches eleventh grade Morality,
and she assists Mrs. Nappi with
a school-wide vote revealed that
Mercy on a Mission. She says of
the majority of students supportthe club, “It’s impressive to see
ed Veterans Affairs, and we will
students taking such initiative
support the worthy cause for the
duration of the school year. The
money we raise will not be given
directly to the hospital itself in
Northport, but rather it will be
received by one of the programs
within the hospital. As an example, the money may fund projects
to aid veteran women and their
children. Numerous projects have
Mrs. Springer, Religion Department
Mr. Roters teaches AP Biology and various
courses in the Science department.
been discussed within Mercy on
a Mission, but as of right now, a
single project has not been determined. Mrs. Nappi has hinted
and expressing works of Mercy.”
Like most other new teachers,
Mrs. Springer appreciates the
warm student community and
the energy and spirit evident in
students and faculty alike.
Mr. Roters currently
teaches AP Biology, Exercise and
Physiology, and Human Disease
and Pathology. Born in Munich,
Germany, Mr. Roters moved to
the United States when he was
twenty-seven because his wife,
a doctor, was hired in New York
City. He had visited the coun-
try many times before and had
attended the University at Miami. Until last year, Mr. Roters
had lived in the Bronx, and he
previously taught there. Having
received a Master’s degree in
Mr. Picinich joins the Latin Department.
both biochemistry and
microbiology, Mr. Roters
decided it would be advantageous to take an accelerated teaching course.
He has an evident love of
learning, and he admits
that, “I’m still a student
now.” Most people do
not know that Mr. Roters
played outfield in Germany for years, and he
prefers German food to
American fare because it
has more sausage and vegetables.
Despite her new status as a teacher, Ms. Donnelly
cannot be considered a new face
at Mercy. She is an alumna of
the high school, student taught
here, and acted as a substitute
teacher before she acquired her
new position as a ninth and tenth
grade English teacher. With a
bright smile she says, “I always
loved school. I was one of those
weird kids that always wanted to
go to school.” Her inspiration and
teaching role model is Mrs. Comanda. Ms. Donnelly particularly
liked that Mrs. Comanda utilized
collaborative work because,
“English isn’t as fun if you’re
not involved.” Humorously, she
cannot call half of the teachers
that she works with by their first
names out of habit from her time
as a student and out of her respect
for them. Most people do not
know that she is an excellent tap
dancer.
Mr. Prochilo has replaced
Fr. Jerry as our campus minister.
When asked about his background, Mr. P responded that
he has been switching between
being a student himself and being
a teacher. He received his undergraduate degree from Fordham,
his degree in philosophy from
Loyola University Chicago, and
his degree in theology from the
Gregorian University in Rome.
His favorite classes were “Catholics in America,” “Law and
Catholic Social Thought,” and
“The Trinity- The Font of the
Sacramental Life of the Church.”
To add his own distinctive touch
to Campus Ministry, he hopes
to bring, “a sense of the universal church-not just our parish or
diocese, but how we’re connected around the world.” He was
already able to achieve this by
covering the Pope’s recent visit
to America. We wants to try to
keep Project MERCY going,
and he is trying to have a social
Ms. Donnelly in her English classroom.
event for seniors. He is excited to
not have a full time priest at the
school so the students can experience a greater variety of priests.
Students can look forward to a
Jesuit student from Colombia, a
priest from Our Lady of Lourdes
in West Islip, a priest from St.
John’s in Riverhead, and a priest
from St. Agnes in the coming
months. Quite unexpectedly, he is
Come visit Dr. Sheehan in Development.
a huge Downton Abbey fan.
Mr. Picinich is Mercy’s new
Latin teacher. He previously
taught Greek, Latin, and Comparative World Views in New York
City public schools, Jericho High
School, and Our Savior New
Continued on Page Two
In
This
Issue:
Fall
Fashion
page 2
Senior
Spotlight
page 3
Spirit
Week
pages 4 - 5
Monarch
Tennis
page 8
Monarch Spark - Page 2
Fall Fashion and Beauty
Emily Cleary
Fall is upon us and
it is time for cozy sweaters,
hot pumpkin spice lattes, and
beautiful red, orange, and
yellow leaves. Once fall hits
I’m heading to Tanger Outlets
to find the latest fall attire. The
best colors for fall are deep
colors, my go to colors are
maroon, brown, black, red and
deep green, and blue. Army
green pants with a deep blue
flannel with hints of white is
a combination that screams
fall. For my jewelry, I always
go for gold in fall because it
compliments the maroons and
deep colors in a great way. My
makeup routine for weekends
in the fall is pretty simple. For
my eyes, I use a warm brown
on the whole base of my eyelid
and then a darker brown in the
crease. Make sure you really
blend the dark shadow because
I really don’t think you want
to look like Cruella de Vil.
In the crease of your eye you
want to put a light color like a
light tan or gold or even silver.
This will help you look more
awake because we all know
how hard it is to wake up and
have to get out of bed to a cold
room. For my lips and face,
I use L’oreal foundation and
mascara, and for my lips I use
Clinique’s dark grape color.
Deep lipsticks are what I am
all about during fall and especially around the holidays.
I’m a huge Lush fan, and once
their holiday products come
out, it's like my mind turns into
a mad house. Right now I am
using their shower jellies’ in
the scent, Needles and Pines.
This scent just reminded me
so much of the holidays and
autumn that I had to get it. I
go for their bath bombs more
around Christmas and in the
summer because those are
when my favorites come out,
such as dashing Santa, and
Twilight.
In the morning I always
have a big cup of tea. My basic
order is English Breakfast with
milk and no sugar. It's quite
lovely, so before you turn your
nose up at the fact that there
is no sugar, try it first, trust
me. When I have time, I make
banana pancakes with strawberries on the side. Smash
some bananas in a bowl, add
cinnamon and vanilla, put the
mixture in a pan, and boom
healthy banana pancakes. I
hope I gave some great advice
and don’t be afraid to go out
of your comfort zone with
fashion and makeup, you’ll be
surprised at what you discover...I certainly was.
MONARCH SPARK STAFF
Editor in Chief
Katie Brownfiel
Reporters
Kelsey Brudrick
Emily Cleary
Taya Coniglio
Juliet Fusco
Chief Photographer
Johnny Tumminello
Abigail Hubbell
Accolades
Caitlin Hubbell
Margaret Lechleider
Siobhan Merrill
Caryn Nabrizny
Alexia O’Brien
Savanah O’Brien
Anthony Quintal
Matt Raynor
Bridie Raustilia
Johnny Tumminello
Advisor
Mrs. Amanda Weis
Contact Info:
Best-Opinion PieceJessica Allen 13’
2nd Place-Opinion PieceVeronica Marrinan 14’
3rd Place- Best Arts
Review
Katie Brownfiel 16’
Honorable MentionMost Outstanding
ReporterKaylee Navarra 13’
The Monarch Spark
Bishop McGann-Mercy High School
1225 Ostrander Avenue
Riverhead, NY 11901
For advertising in the
Monarch Spark,
please contact us
631-727-5900 ex. 370
Club Happenings for Fall 2015
Johnny Tumminello
Club Wednesday may
seem like a crazy concept to
many, but it seems like many
Mercy Students are accomplishing great things. Here is a look at
what is going on this semester.
Red Cross Club:
Currently, this club is researching
initiatives to become involved
in. They also organize and run
events like the Blood Drive. Ms.
Olphie is the moderator.
Faye Bujnicki, said, “I am registering on the official red cross
website. Oh my goodness, I’m
finally official!” Laura Blomberg,
added,“I feel… excited, happy,
eager, enthusiastic, and thrilled
to be a part of the Red Cross
Club at Mercy. I personally am
ecstatic, delighted and overjoyed
to become CPR certified! Also,
for those who don’t know about
Red Cross, the Red Cross is a
humanitarian organization providing emergency assistance to
US citizens."
Ethics Club:
Ethics and Leadership
Club is a service based club that
serves the community in many
ways. Currently, they are working
on a creative writing project with
a 4th grade class in North Carolina. Also, they help maintain a
camp for impoverished children.
Mrs. Corrao is the moderator.
Emily Auciello and Meg
Tuthill, both have been in this
club for four years. They commented, “The trip we go on
is something we always look
forward to, and we always enjoy
the outcome.” Cat Kazanecki and
Lindsey Woodhull, added, “Ethics Club helps inner city children
who are underprivileged. They go
to Camp Herrlich every year and
are provided with an experience
they may not be able to have in
their home environment."
Book Club:
Book Club highlights interesting and new novels for literature lovers. Ms. Donnelly is the
moderator and creates awesome
discussions for her members.
Lilly Kniedl , Grade 8, said, “We
are reading the Hunger Games.
We LOVE adventure novels
and when we finish the Hunger
Games we will have book-talks,
have a discussion leader, and
share passages. Personally, my
favorite book is the Hunger
Games.”
Recycling Club:
A club that does not go unnoticed
is Recycling. Mr. Fiore is the
moderator. Christina Cheeseman,
Grade 9, said, “We recycle paper
and bottles. The money we get
from recycling goes to a good
cause. We walk from class to
class getting paper and get the
bottles from the cafeteria.”
History Club:
One of the newer clubs at Mercy
this year is History Club which is
moderated by Mrs. Scanlon.
Shannon O’Brien, Grade 11, stated, “I am Mrs. Scanlon’s assistant. Basically, she and I are planning to organize some fun trivia
games for the younger members,
as well as origami. We have been
playing USH jeopardy, which all
the members to seem love."
Whether you choose to
walk the track, read a new novel,
serve your community or just
play some pickleball. Club is a
great part of our hectic Wednesday schedules.
Photo Credits: Johnny Tumminello
Fresh Faces Continued...
Continued from the cover...
American School. He enjoys the
Ancients primarily because he
is interested in reading the New
Testament in its original Greek
and because Latin is the basis
of so much English. He stated
that, “Knowing these languages
unlocks the wisdom of the past.”
One of his great passions is his
thesis concerning global debate.
In it he discusses America’s
decline in the liberal arts, and he
adamantly believes that an intellectual response to problems in
the form of global debates would
help to aid the world’s problems.
Dr. Sheehan has joined
the Mercy family as the Director
of Institutional Advancement. He
was previously employed at Holy
Cross High School, and he acted
as the director of the annual fund
for Chaminade High School. He
has also served as the director
of Religious Education for the
Diocese of Brooklyn, and he
currently teaches in the Theology
Department at St. John’s University in Queens. His warm smile
can be seen frequently in the
halls, and it has been reciprocated
by the, “caring, warm feeling”
that Mercy’s Catholic identity so
readily provides.
Monarch Spark - Page 3
Senior Spotlight
Juliet Fusco
Spotlight On: Lucia Petruccelli
Lucia Petruccelli, has
been an outgoing figure within
the McGann- Mercy community
and never ceases to bring a smile
to everyone’s faces. Lucia`s family oriented, well-rounded nature
displays how she is an amazing
role model for her peers and
school. Her enthusiasm and Mercy spirit have awarded her with
the Homecoming Queen title, and
she continues to demonstrate a
spark of excitement throughout
her senior year.
“The candid moments are
the best ones that make the best
memories,” says Lucia. As the
year progresses, Lucia reflects
on how she will greatly miss
the memories created during her
experience at Mercy after graduation. Her time spent with her fellow classmates and teachers has
bestowed her with so many funny
and exciting moments. Homecoming 2015 was the highlight of
memories for Lucia this year. Not
only was she grateful for being
named Homecoming Queen, but
also grateful for the homecoming game itself. The legendary
“Mercy Zoo” at Homecoming
was bombarded with old and
new supporters of football, and
Lucia remembered the wave of
excitement as the Monarch game
ended with a victory. However,
Lucia`s fondest memories are
from the Pre-Calculus and Physics classes taught by her favorite
teachers: Mr. Giordano and Mr.
Fiore. These teachers have made
her two favorite subjects easier
to understand with a humorous
approach, which makes going
to class enjoyable… “You can`t
make it up.”
At home Lucia enjoys
spending time with her family
and listening to music. She is the
fifth of seven siblings, and she
also holds the exciting role of an
aunt to a four-year-old nephew
and a six-year-old niece. Three
years ago an extra addition,
Diesel the dog, made his way into
Lucia`s house after being rescued
from Turks and Caicos. Lucia`s
favorite vacation with her family,
was when she has traveled with
them back to their origins in Italy.
Lucia’s future plans for
college and career goals only
shine bright. After graduating
from Mercy, Lucia hopes to
study Forensic Psychology at the
University of New Haven. Her
adventurous personality inspires
her to study abroad while in college as well. Lucia also hopes to
become successful in her career
while raising a family. However,
before she goes off to college,
she still hopes to try out for winter cheerleading, to play lacrosse
in the spring, and to continue
to make memories during her
senior year. For the junior class
and future seniors of next year,
Lucia states, “ ‘Senior year is the
easiest on of high school’ is definitely a lie.” Even though there
are exciting events, Lucia advises
the lowerclassmen that they have
to be ready to work hard when
it comes to their thesis, applying
to schools, as well as additional homework and planning for
prom. “You will never stop getting asked about college and what
your future plans are.” However,
despite the maximum amount
of work, Lucia believes that it
brings about a huge amount of
celebration and the best experiences of your high school life.
Since the year goes by extremely
quickly, Lucia advises lowerclassmen to cherish each moment
before their own graduation.
Fast Facts:
Hometown: Manorville
Birthday: May 14
Favorite Vacation Spot:
Italy
Favorite Book:
Looking For Alaska John Green
Favorite Sport Team:
McGann Mercy Monarchs
Favorite Food:
Panera Mac n Cheese
Favorite Movie:
The Breakfast Club
Favorite Quote:
“You can catch flies with honey
but you’ll catch more
honeys bein’ fly.”
Photo Credits: Monarch Staff
Spotlight On: Alexander Malcom Hitchcock
Taya Coniglio
Alex Hitchcock has been
a student at Mercy since his sophomore year, and he has definitely
left a lasting impression on this
school. Alex is not only one of
Mercy’s loudest seniors, but he
also brings a versatile and positive perspective to the student
body. Mrs. Weis commented,
“Alex is a great student to have
in the classroom. He always
adds something interesting to the role. “My dad is my motivation
discussion. And, he showcases
because he never gives up,” Alex
his creative side in my Digital
says. Alex plans to use this never
Photography Class.” He was also give up mentality as he prepares
awarded the title of Homecoming for college. His dream college is
King this year.
the University of California Santa
Prior to attending Mercy,
Barbara. He plans on pursuing
Alex was living in Playa Del
a degree in environmental studCarmen, Mexico. He then moved ies in business, and he hopes to
in with his cousins, the Bahnke’s, start his own recycling business.
and enrolled in Mercy for his
Ten years from now, Alex plans
sophomore year of high school.
on running his business while,
His family connections allowed
“having fun and living life to the
his transition into a new environ- fullest.”
ment to not be too
difficult. Regarding his adjustment, Alex stated,
“I knew a couple
kids. I thought it
was fairly easier
because I lived
with my cousin,
and she knew
people so I got
involved with the
environment very
quickly.”
Family
plays a huge role
in Alex’s life,
and Alex’s father
plays a particAbove : Homecoming Queen and Homecoming King
walk the track proudly during the half time show.
ularly significant
Fast Facts:
Hometown:
Playa Del Carmen, Mexico
Birthday: July 27
Favorite Subject: Science
Favorite Book:
The Great Gatsby F. Scott Fitzgerald
Favorite Sport Team:
Real Madrid C.F. Club
Favorite Food: Sushi
Favorite Restaurant:
Las Helodias
Favorite Movie:
Forrest Gump
Favorite Hobby:
Weight -Lifting
Favorite Quote:
“Live your life at American
Eagle, this is Alex speaking.”
Monarch Spark - Page 04
Bishop - McGann Mercy Spirit Week 2015
Monarch Spark - Page 05
Accessorize Your Uniform, Black Out, Pajama, Match, & Green Gold Themes
Monarch Spark - Page 6
Restaurant Review: World Pie
Abigail Hubbell
Located in the heart of Bridgehampton, World Pie is the perfect place to grab a
bite to eat. When you walk into World Pie,
you are greeted by a friendly hostess and
escorted to a table. If there is a wait during
the summer season, you can stroll around the
village, and time will pass in no time. World
Pie offers several types of seating in a casual
and relaxed atmosphere such as family style
tables, tables for two, booths, and window
seats. There is also an option for patio seating. You can look out at the beautiful historic
village of Bridgehampton.
The food is mainly Italian. Woodfired thin-crust pizzas are their specialty.
There are a variety of toppings and choices.
My personal favorite is “The Classic,” which
consists of fresh tomato sauce, basil, and
mozzarella. It is simple yet delicious. There
is even a “Taco” pie! The “Taco” consists
of spicy beef, cheddar cheese, diced tomato,
chopped romaine, guacamole and sour cream.
The pizzas come in small and large sizes.
The small is a perfect size for one person,
and the large is good for two or three people.
Aside from pizza, World Pie also has a large
LT Burger is a family friendly restaurant located in the heart of the little seaside
town, Sag Harbor. When you walk into the
restaurant, you will be greeted by the lively
atmosphere and the delicious scents of chargrilled meat. Because of its location in the
town of Sag Harbor, the restaurant is busy but
the food is most certainly worth the wait.
The staff at LT was accommodating.
We noticed how they were more considerate
and they were sure to confirm that we were
satisfied with our meal. There are plenty of
large family tables, seats at the bar, and window seats with a beautiful view of the town.
The menu has countless styles of burgers.
There are of course classic cheeseburgers,
but they also serve veggie burgers and turkey burgers for people who want a healthier
meal. If you're looking for something different, they offer wraps and salads. We would
recommend the "LT Backyard Burger", which
is topped with cheddar cheese, bacon, and
the signature LT sauce. To compliment the
burger, try the skinny fries and the onion
rings. A visit to LT is not complete without
a milkshake which is absolutely amazing. Try
Anthony Quintal
Maggie Lechleider
selection of appetizers, entrées, and desserts.
The fresh salads are the perfect way to start
off your dining experience.
For entrées, there are fresh seafood,
mouth-watering pasta dishes, and steak
cooked to your liking. To finish up the meal,
there are amazing dessert choices showcased
on a huge board. Cakes, pastries, and ice
cream are just some of the options. Dining
at World Pie is a delicious experience and a
great time to spend quality opportunity with
friends and family.
Restaurant Review: L.T. Burger
Alexia O’Brien & Caitlin Hubbell
The Intern
"The Death By Oreo Shake", which is made
with chocolate ice cream, Oreo cookieS,
and chocolate syrup or "The Gone Bananas
Shake" with banana, rum raisin, and dulce de
leche ice cream. Be careful to save room for
dessert because the fried Oreos are to die for.
The Oreos are dunked in Nutella, fried and
served with chocolate dipping sauce.
Next time you are close to Sag Harbor, make sure to stop into LT Burger, for a
delicious, savory meal. It was a superb meal
and a good time. We were so impressed that
we will surely be back soon.
Robert De Niro and Anne Hathaway
star in the heart-warming hit, The Intern.
The Intern is a touching story of a businesswoman and her new intern. While interns are
usually young and fresh out of college, De
Niro portrays intern, Ben Whittaker, a retired
widower, who lives alone in his Brownstone
in Brooklyn, New York. Ben has become
bored of his life and decides to become a part
of a “Senior Intern Program.” This program
takes place in Anne Hathaway’s character
Jules’ company, “About the Fit”. Ben is
taken into the company and placed as Jules’
direct intern. At first, Jules is quite hesitant
of Ben’s presence. However, she soon opens
up to him and allows Ben to become a part of
her company and her daily life.
As the story progresses, Ben becomes
a prominent figure in Jules’ life and becomes
not only her intern but her best friend. Jules
and Ben share a relationship that can only be
compared to a father- daughter bond. While
Ben is finding his place in this new job, Jules
is debating the idea of bringing a CEO into
her company. Jules is hesitant to bring a new
leader in and wishes to continue running the
company on her own. Jules’ husband, however, does not care for her working so often and
enjoys the idea of a new leader for the company.
The Intern is a film that grasps the
idea of feminism and gender equality. The
film is filled with unlimited optimism and
empowerment while also allowing for a
heartfelt experience for viewers. The relationship that grows between Ben and Jules
is joyous to watch. While the movie focuses
on the friendship of Ben and Jules, viewers
also experience the suspenseful yet loving
relationship between Jules, her husband, and
their young daughter. The Intern will not only
make you laugh and cry, but it will tug at
your heartstrings.
Hotel: American Horror Story
Hotel is the most recent installment in
the anthology series, American Horror Story.
If you are wondering whether this season is
worth wasting your precious time on, I will
help you make this decision by highlighting
the positive and negative aspects of AHS
Hotel. I will start with the negative. A major
concern I had so far with the season was the
portrayal of the character Detective John
Lowe who is portrayed by Wes Bentley. I find
that Bentley’s performance is robotic most of
the time. I often see a similar expression on
the actor’s face whenever he tries to convey
different emotions. On a positive note, Bentley’s acting has become significantly more
tolerable in more recent episodes so maybe
there is still hope for the character. Another negative aspect I found about Hotel was
the story arcs relating to the current owner,
Elizabeth/Countess portrayed by Lady Gaga
and the detective’s wife, Dr. Alex Lowe who
is portrayed by Chloe Sevigny. The problem I had with these story arcs was that they
were poorly executed, and this often results
in boredom and disregard for what happened
to the characters. This is such a tragedy for
me because these characters have so much
potential, but it is completely squandered by
poor writing. One last aspect I found troubling about Hotel was the absence of longtime show runner Jessica Lange. She brought
a despicably pleasurable character to viewers
and fans.
Now, since the undesirable aspects
have been discussed, let’s move on to the positive aspects of the show. The most enjoyable
moment of Hotel was watching the disturbing
yet intriguing performance of Evan Peters
who propitiously delivers with his portrayal
of James Patrick March, the homicidal former
owner of the hotel. Every time you see Mr.
March on the show, the little maniac in all of
us is released, and we are captivated by his
atrocious actions. The inclusion of famous
crimes and criminals from American history
in Hotel was another positive aspect. For
instance, in the most recent episode, the show
included serial killers such as the Zodiac
Killer, John Wayne Gacy, Jeffery Dahmer,
Richard Ramirez, and Aileen Wuornos. As
for crimes Hotel includes a reference to the
Wineville Chicken Murders, a case that occurred during the late 1920s. The influences
the hotel utilized from famous horror movies
such as The Shinning, Seven, Psycho and
House on Haunted Hill were also positive.
Overall I would recommend Hotel to
horror fans and longtime viewers of AHS, but
if you are interested in the series and want to
begin to watch, I recommend watching season 1 or 2 first because they are well written
and respectable contributions to the horror
genre.
Photo Credits: Google Images
Monarch Spark - Page 7
OP/ED OP/ED OP/ED OP/ED
Ten “Things” I Like About You: Senior Gratitude
sheet togas held together with safety pins and
hope were certainly a break from the routine
experience, but they are not the crowning glory of the day. That honor lies with the French
students who always manage to create the
best food. I won’t lie when I say that I most
certainly always sneak up for thirds.
Katie Brownfiel
There are an infinite amount of firsts that
you will experience in your life, but the number of lasts seems finite and fleeting. Each
turn of senior year is riddled with a goodbye,
and it is with these farewells that I come to
appreciate the taken for granted, mundane
aspects of high school life. Listed below are a
few aspects that I will miss once my remaining seven months have dwindled away.
Things I will miss about Mercy when I
leave:
1.The cookies. There is nothing more delicious, more tantalizing, and more satisfying
than a fresh out of the oven chocolate chip
cookie. Their wafting chocolate scent is my
greatest motivating force before first period.
2.Mrs. Taylor’s Chuck Norris quotes.
When you’re trekking your way down the
science wing, there’s nothing that’ll bring a
smile to your face faster than some hyperbolized fictional feats by our favorite martial
artist.
3.Anthony Muh’s singing. Although Mercy
has its fair share of vocal talent, I don’t think
anyone brings it out quite like our own spiritual singer. Although my dance moves may
be a little under par, I can keep up with “Yes,
Lord” with the rest of them.
4.That two-week period after AP exams
junior year. After nine months of intense
preparation, excruciating studying, and countless assignments, the AP exams come and go
with the blink of an eye. Okay, more like a
liberal ten thousand stressful blinks, but the
pain is ephemeral compared to the waves of
relief and relaxation that follow. We dissected Fluffy the Cat, watched hours of Netflix,
played a conservative count of twenty games
of Egyptian Ratscrew, frolicked outside in
9.Lunch. From overflowing tables of rowdy
boys to intimately small tables of gregarious
girls, the cafeteria has served as a memorable
hodgepodge of conversations. I’ve discussed
books and boys, studied and sang, laughed
and occasionally cried from laughing so
hard. It’s where we are simply ourselves,
and though college will serve its fair share of
lunches, these crazy conversations will hold a
special place in my heart.
the budding spring air, and spent our newly
acquired free time at home hibernating.
5.Spirit Week. Perhaps this item makes the
list solely for the hilarity of Twin Day, and
the opportunity to see our football players
adorned in pink Tutu’s. Bonus points are
awarded for the ability to wear pajamas that
resemble a wild animal.
6. Mr. Semmler’s speeches. How else will I
learn about St. Paul and Dante’s Inferno?
7.Homecoming. There’s something incredibly unifying about standing in the stands
and cheering for our boys. It’s a quintessential aspect of the teenage experience and an
enduring nationwide tradition. The floats, the
cheerleaders, the Zoo, and the ever-growing
current of excitement are irreplaceable and
unforgettable. Points must be taken off for the
inability to roast marshmallows in the inferno.
8.International Food Day. Having taken Latin, I can laugh in retrospection at the ridiculous garb that we adorned ourselves with. Bed
10.The home. We may grumble, bemoan,
complain, and groan, but in the ways that
matter, Mercy is our home. We spend a minimum of seven hours, five days a week in the
classroom, but for the large majority of us, we
clock upwards of nine hours a day, five days
a week inside and outside the building. These
hours do not include the frequent Saturdays
that host gaggles of students or the hours of
homework that every student completes or the
time spent commuting. Oftentimes it feels as
though we spend more time at school than in
our own homes. Fear not for we do not spend
this time alone. We are flanked by our fellow
students who greet and leave us each day with
a weary smile. We have teachers that care and
parents that unite to make our adolescence
more memorable. It may seem like a small
eternity, or even a small purgatory, but the
days, the weeks, and the months soar fleetingly away until you are left with an acceptance
letter and a diploma.
Stop and smell the cookies and appreciate the little things, the firsts, and the lasts.
Photo Credits:Google Images
Roving Reporter: College Applications
Siobhan Merrill
How do you process all the
information colleges
give you?
Have sports factored
into your decision?
Dale Kelly:
“If you already have a plan of
what classes you want to take it
helps you narrow down your
options. Start looking at
colleges junior year and think
about what you want to write
your college essay on.”
Alex Fabrizio:
“Sports helped on my application it looks good for colleges
to see you’re involved. Junior
year seasons are important in
sports and it helps to respond
to recruitment letters and
request meetings with
coaches.”
What has your experience
been like with the college
application process?
Ali Hulse:
“It’s stressful but also
exciting. Everybody tries to
overwhelm you but if you take
it one step at a time it’s not
that bad. Time management is
important.”
Photo Credits: Monarch Staff
What are some helpful tips
for those who have not yet
gone through the process?
Bridget Edwards: “The
hardest part is trying to find
a school that you like. If you
do what you’re supposed to
do and not procrastinate it’s
not too stressful. Don’t worry
about it too much. If you do a
lot of what you love for
extracurricular it will be
beneficial to you in your
application.”
Monarch Sports
Bishop McGann-Mercy High School - Riverhead, NY
December 2015 Serve It, Smash It, Love It
Kelsey Brudrick
This season has been
great for the Varsity Lady Monarchs Tennis Team. The team was
Girls Varsity Tennis Team
undefeated in League VIII. The
team won against Hampton Bays,
Riverhead, Shoreham Wading
River, Southold, and Center
Moriches. They also won a nonleague seeding game against the
Stony Brook School. The team
consisted of sixteen students. The
seniors, Jamie Lessard, Shannon
Kavanagh, Alex Waski, Savannah Siejka, Katie Brownfiel, and
Bridget Edwards, were great
leaders. Jamie Lessard, the first
singles player, made it to the
quarterfinals in the individual
divisions. Shannon Kavanagh
and Angelika Osiniak, the first
doubles pairing, also made it to
quarterfinals in divisions.
At the Section XI tennis
awards, Laura Blomberg, Katie
Brownfiel, Savanah Siejka, and
Alex Waski received All League
awards. Margaret
Terry received a
Sportsmanship
Award for Division
4 League 8. Jamie
Lessard, Shannon
Kavanagh, and
Angelika Osiniak received All
Division awards.
Coach Clauberg was
named Coach of the
Year.
Coach Clauberg
is a great coach.
He travelled from
Saint Anthony’s High
School every school
day to coach a practice or a game. He invited players
to practice during the summer,
and he is going to have open tennis in the winter. He says, “When
you put the time in the off season,
you are destined for success.”
Coach Clauberg puts his heart
and soul into the team, and everyone appreciates it.
The tennis players always supported each other throughout the
season. Someone could be heard
cheering for the team at every
game. The team was very welcoming to the new players. I wish
those graduating all the best, and
they will be missed.
Volume 12 Issue 01
“The Zoo” Returns
Matt Raynor
Supporting Senior, Joe Jeskie
the Monarchs alive and the fans
entertained.
The New “Zoo” is also
making its rounds at the Boys
Varsity Football Games. Coach
Doroski and Coach Lombardi are
going to need added moral support during some tough upcoming games. This year the numbers
seem to be a bit low and many
players never come off the field.
This is exactly where the “Zoo”
comes into play.
With all the cheering and
the great support by the “Zoo”,
we look forward to a great start
to the 2015 – 2016 Athletic Year.
After a few
great years of Marco Pascale leading
the chants during
sporting events, one
legacy has come
to an end. However, on September
30, the same old
special corner of
the bleachers came
alive and rowdy
again. The first
appearance of the
new “Zoo” led by
Kevin Santacroce,
John Viola, Bryan Boden, Lucia
Petruccelli and
“The Zoo” in the stands showing off some Mercy pride!
Matt Raynor lead
the chant in the gym
The Monarch spirit can only hope
for the Lady Monarchs Varsithat this legacy lives on for many
ty Volleyball Game. Not only
years to come.
were the chants fun but it kept
Photo Credits:Monarch Staff
Go For Your Goals: Lady Monarch’s Varsity Soccer
Caryn Nabrinzy
Above: Girls showing off their numbers
What an amazing year is
has been for the Lady Monarch’s
Varsity soccer team! The team
has worked so hard this season to
win against teams like Mattituck
and Southhampton. The Lady
Monarchs won 4-0 in the former
game and 4-3 in the latter. After
busting their butt to make playoffs, the girls beat Southold 1-0
with 14 seconds left on the clock
scored by Maddie Joinnides.
Alas, after traveling to Babylon
on a rainy and miserable day, the
Lady Monarchs lost to the Lady
Panthers 4-0.
Our team captain, Dayna
Young, has been our best defender that we’ve seen all season. I
asked her what had prepared her
for the team captain position and
she replied “My years of soccer
and the captains in the past set
great examples,” and indeed she
did an amazing just guiding our
team to playoffs and motivating
us. Other players, such as Ashlyn
Burbano had made memories
this season that will last forever.
“Getting my first goal was such
an amazing accomplishment,”
Ashlyn reflected. Mercy ended up
winning their first game of that
season 7-0, and Ashlyn scored
our first goal.
Another senior that will
be dearly missed is our goalie,
Jules Cintron -Leonardo. She
made many saves this season that
lead us to many victories. While
Jules meant everything to our
team, our team means everything
to her. “It means a lot. You make
an everlasting friendship with everyone” she says. Our other side
defender, Taya Coniglio, has been
such a contribution to our team.
For the last 2 years, Taya has
been out because of concussions,
but this year Taya will not be for-
gotten. Her idea of team success
was, “You’re not just playing
for yourself but for the player
next to you,” and she has indeed
been helping defend side by side
with her team mates and made a
big contribution to our season.
Midfield, Gabby Amerbach,
encourages others to play soccer
next year, and says, “Appreciate
the season while you can because
the seasons will fly by and you’ll
miss the people you made strong
relationships with during soccer.”
The Lady Monarchs show
support for each other and act
more like family than a team.
The team really know how to
work together to help each other
and their community. The team
encourages everyone to come
out and try next year, not only to
enjoy the sport, but also to ma ke
a second family
Photo Credits: Caryn Nabrinzy
Below: Team photo of the Seniors