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OCT.ISSUE

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� Front 1 � Features 12-13

�Opinions 14-17�Online 2

� Student Life 8-9 �News Features 22-23

News 4-5 � Entertainment 18-19

Health and Beauty 6-7 �Art and Design 20-21

� Sports 10-11 � Last Look 24

contents:Page 3Index

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Jordan Ewald

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Alicia Finnorn

� Katharine Rzepecki

� Nicole Skandalaris

Katherine Soave

Editorial Board & Senior Staff Reporters

The mission of the Mercy High School student produced Newsprint is to report

noteworthy events, recognize the achievements and address the concerns of the Mercy student and broader school community while also remaining an entertaining paper that is pleasing both to read and look at in order to help promote an atmosphere

of awareness, inquisitiveness, concern for others, and pride in one’s school.

our mission:

~

staff:

2013- 2014

Anjali AlangadenEditor-In-Chief

Eileen PawlikPhotography Editor

Sydney HembreeDesign Editor

Teagan DillonAssociate Editor-In-Chief

Cassidy ConnollyCopy Editor

Bridget CarlsonWeb Editor

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�

Mackenzie Cahill

�

Nicole DiPonio

Ihechi Ezuruonye

Staff Reporters

� Megan Haase

� Jillian Law

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Theresa Walle

Sierra Wangler

� Alycia Washington

� Megan Yatooma� Emily Mallon

� Danya Ziazadeh

� Molly Schwalm

� Peyton Pawlusiak

� Katie Schubert

Lynn Waldsmith�

Adviser

Page 4 News Briefs

Its no secret that Mercy students are extremely busy. Balancing homework, sports and clubs can be a daunting

task for any teenager. Thankfully, Mercy’s “1:40 days” have allowed us to fit in our A and B clubs without them getting in the way of all our other activities. While everyone knows about these fun clubs, there are many other opportunities for new experiences. Members of Model United Nations (MUN), Focus on Faith (FOF) and Dead Poets Society, among others, are willing to put in the extra hours to do something they truly enjoy.

If you ask a typical Mercy girl about foreign policy or international affairs, you will most likely be met with a blank look, but not MUN members. For MUN,

Eileen Pawlik, Photography Editor

clubs off the beaten pathNot sure

what club

fits you?

Take the quiz

to find your

best fit

Your friends

would best

describe you

as a...

Book

worm

Drama

queen

Poetry

Photography

Club

each student chooses to represent a country which she must research. Girls prepare to debate their foreign policy for their selected country at competitions throughout the year. MUN treasurer, Lucy Devine, joined the club last year an instantly fell in love with it. The best part of the year, she says, is the North American Invitational Model United Nations (NAIMUN) simulation in Washington D.C. at the end of the year.

“It’s a good experience to debate with people from all over,” said Devine. “ I’ve formed close bonds with people across the country.”

Not only do American high school students come to discuss international relations, but last year Devine, along with the Mercy MUN team debated

Model United

Nations

Focus on

Faith

Dead Poets

Society

You prefer

to read...

Mock Trial

Good

student

You

prefer to

be...

with students from other countries, like China.

MUN helps to expand anyone’s knowledge of foreign relations and helps to understand current events.

If your hectic schedule has you completely stressed out and you need to clear your head, consider meeting Friday mornings in the chapel for FOF. The club was originally founded by Latin teacher, Mrs. Lauren Marquard, when she was a student.

This year, FOF has chosen to focus on a bible study of 2 Timothy. After reading a certain passage, everyone discusses the message and what they can learn from it. FOF leader, Jacqueline Welday, hopes that more girls will take advantage of the opportunity to expand their faith.

“You don’t have to be super religious to come,” said Welday. “It’s just a good opportunity to explore the Bible and be around girls with faith.”

Based on the classic movie, Dead Poets Society, the club of the same name inspires many students to “seize the day”. Before each DPS meeting, a theme is chosen that all selected poems and songs must be based on. Students read or perform their prose or poetry for the club members who then comment and discuss the meaning of the writing or the inspiration behind it.

DPS invites girls to show their creative side and help express their feelings. Along with the promise of free food, this club helps students to discover a passion they never knew they had.

Parables

On Stage

Behind the

scenes

You would

rather be

a...

Film

Appreciation

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Lawyer New

Page 5News Briefs

Ask Mercy students what they like about fall, and they may say the brilliant or muted shades of light brown, gold, orange, and red. But,

according to experts, the blaze of fall colors will likely su!er from global warming as climate change disrupts the planet, confuses trees, and disturbs the synchronicity of color development.

While e!ects of climate change are interconnected, complicated, and di"cult to fully predict, warmer weather will generally mean duller fall colors.

According to Dr. Howard Neufeld, professor of plant physiology at Appalachian State University in North Carolina, climate change may reduce fall foliage by delaying the season, a!ecting the “quality” of the colors and bleaching out red tones. As the climate continues to warm over the next several decades, it will likely alter the home for many of the trees that bring visually impressive fall color.

“Climate models predict that later this

Danya Ziazadeh, Sta! Reportercentury our climate will be too warm” for some of the most charismatic contributors to fall foliage, said Dr. John O’Keefe, coordinator emeritus of the Fisher Museum at Harvard Forest, Harvard University.

Plant cells contain an extremely important biomolecule green pigment called Chlorophyll, which provides leaves with their green color. Chlorophyll is vital for photosynthesis, the process that allows plants to absorb energy from light to produce carbohydrates.

Leaves also contain the natural pigments carotenoids, which produce yellow, orange, and light brown tones in plants. #roughout the growing season, the colors of carotenoids are easily covered by green chlorophyll. #e increasing darkness in late summer and the cool nip in the air signals to the plants that fall is coming. #e broadleaf plants slow down and ultimately stop their chlorophyll production. As a result of this process, leaves reveal the golden, orange, and yellow hues of

carotenoid pigments. By contrast, some trees actually produce red pigments in the autumn. Synthesis of anthocyanins gives trees their red color leaves. Orange color leaves are the result of the interplay of red and yellow pigments. #e outcome is the fall color $esta--treating the leaf lookers to magni$cent displays of autumn colors.

“I really like how the colors change,” said junior Amelia Dahmer. “#e season of fall shows how magical and mysterious the earth really is. It’s a time like no other.”

What is nature’s “recipe” for a spectacular display of colors and how might global climate change a!ect the display? According to Neufeld, a wet growing season followed by dry, warm sunny days and cool, above-freezing nights from about August through September, produce the best fall colors including the brilliant red hues associated with peak fall foliage.

Higher temperatures, changes in timing and/or extent of precipitation, level of humidity,

THE FUTURE OF FALL FOLIAGEvariation in cloud cover, and increased levels of nitrogen in ecosystems from fertilization processes, power plants, and fossil fuel emissions might mute fall colors. #ese conditions dim red colors by reducing photosynthesis, Neufeld said. “Less photosynthesis means less sugar to fuel anthocyanins production.”

#at may not be good news for the leaf viewers that behold autumn’s dramatic and stunning landscape.

“#is saddens me because October is usually a colorful month and the leaves have beautiful and vibrant colors,” said junior Mariam Aoun. “But this October does not seem to be the same way.”

Many believe that the autumn dressed fall foliage positively impacts the quality of life.

“Although it may seem a trivial aspect of our lives, fall color a!ects us materially and spiritually: it is one of those intangibles that make life worth living,” Neufeld stated. “[It] adds color to our lives.”

Page 6 Health & Beauty

!eresa Walle, Sta" Reporter“She is one of the strongest, smartest, fairest women I know and I really look up to her,” said senior Jamey

Cattran.When Cattran’s aunt and godmother

was diagnosed with breast cancer about 10 years ago, she fought--and won. Cattran and her family thought the battle was over; little did they know that they still faced a rough road ahead.

“Recently we found out the cancer has gone to her brain and she’s undergoing radiation,” said Cattran. “We don’t know how much time we have left but we’re making the best of it.”

Cattran is one of many in the Mercy community impacted by breast cancer. October, National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, is an excellent opportunity for students to become

more aware of breast cancer and prevention strategies because the habits teens acquire while they are young can increase their risk to developing breast cancer in the future.

About one in eight U.S. women (just under 12%) will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of her lifetime. In other words, over 100 of Mercy’s 838 students will develop breast cancer in their lifetime. To break it down further, in a class of 32, four will develop breast cancer.

Religious studies teacher Mrs. Ann Lusch is a breast cancer survivor. Her battle began in December of 2007. She underwent treatment, surgery, and two types of radiation before she was declared cancer-free about eight months later.

“The hardest part was a sense of isolation,” said Mrs. Lusch. “The time I

spent at home and not coming to Mercy, not being around people, was difficult. The nausea from the first chemo was pretty awful, too.”

The later a tumor is detected, the harder it is for the cancer to be treated and controlled, so it is important for women to stay aware of their body’s health.

“The tumor I had was growing fast,” Mrs. Lusch recalled. “It was an aggressive form, so it’s a good thing we caught it when we did.”

The danger is real. Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths among women ages 15-54, according to ABC News.

Mrs. Lusch shared her advice for Mercy students. “Pay attention to your body and get things checked out,” she said. “Follow recommendations when

you’re old enough for mammograms. Just be vigilant so if something does come up you can get in there early enough to deal with it and get it taken care of.”

A woman’s risk of breast cancer doubles if her mother, sister, or daughter has been diagnosed with breast cancer, according to Breastcancer.org.

A common misconception is that breast cancer is more common in women who are at first-degree risk, but only 15% of breast cancers occur in women who have a family history.

Mrs. Lusch’s battle with breast cancer has made her grow in her faith and appreciation for life.

“There was a time when I wasn’t sure I would reach 50. Now that it is several years since then, I remind myself that even if it’s a day that’s not going well, it’s a day I’m here. It’s a great thing.”

Graphic C

redit: Jillian Law and T

heresa Walle

Fight Like a Girl: Battle Against Breast Cancer

Girls undo their elastic hair ties and dismantle their ever-so-messy buns as they attempt to brush out the numerous snarls and knots

from their full heads of luscious hair. Sounds like a common problem, right?

While students wander the halls, it is easy to spot di!erent types of hairstyles. Ranging from long curls to colorful styles, there truly is variety. For many, the frivolous brushing and styling of hair can become annoying a"er a while. But what if one day it was all gone?

#e everyday routine of $xing and styling hair is not the norm for all. Patients diagnosed with cancer typically lose their hair while undergoing chemotherapy and radiation. Yet organizations like “Wigs for Kids” and “Locks of Love” continue to support those a!ected by cancer by providing real hair wigs.

Two Mercy girls in particular, juniors Bridget Lyons and Emily Dulzo, have reached out to help those a!ected by diseases resulting in hair loss. Lyons, whose aunt su!ers with breast cancer, decided that just before her freshman year she would cut o! 10 inches.

“I wanted to help out those who needed it more than I did,” she said.

Lyons’ hair has now grown back from the bob she sported freshman year, but she does admit that tears were shed when she $rst peered

Health & Beauty

Although October is certainly Halloween-centric, it is hard not to notice the hints of pink mixed in with the black and

orange. You will most likely see this color in the local stores and businesses supporting Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Local and national businesses are huge donors this time of year and make signi$cant contributions to breast cancer research and awareness campaigns annually. Not only do the corporations themselves contribute to breast cancer organizations, but they also o!er people a convenient opportunity to donate while visiting their local stores. One of the business supporters of Breast Cancer Awareness Month is Hungry Howie’s, which makes it’s statement by replacing it’s usual yellow pizza boxes with bright pink ones, adorned with pink ribbons. Hungry Howie’s has been a substantial donor to the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF)

in the past and is aiming to raise approximately $1

m i l l i o n

Molly Schwalm, Sta! ReporterLocal Businesses ‘Go Pink’

Junior Bridget LyonsJunior Emily Dulzo

Locks of LoveLocks of Love

Awareness month is not only about funding breast cancer research, but also awareness, so go online and read or share a story at any one of these businesses’ websites. It is time to get the word out that pink is in once again.

great!”One business that quite obviously shows

its support for breast cancer every October is Kroger. You cannot walk through the grocery store’s aisles without being bombarded with pink advertisements and ribbons on almost every product. If you are looking to support National Breast Cancer Awareness month, all you have to do is drop by the store and pick out a carton of eggs printed with pink ribbons, cakes frosted in pink, and even pink dyed pumpkins that are supplied through the Pink Pumpkin Patch Foundation. #ese colorful pumpkins can also be found in other stores such as Wal-Mart and Home Depot.

#rough their Giving Hope a Hand program which started in 2006, Kroger will have raised about $24 million for breast cancer research by the end of this month.

It is hard to miss all the pink or ribbon-shaped products that are appearing in local stores this October, so why not stop for a bagel or pizza on your way home? A"er all, this month only comes around once a year. And remember that National Breast Cancer

dollars this month. Proceeds from every large pizza and additional merchandise sold in stores or online will be donated to the NBCF.

In addition, every Hungry Howie’s facebook fan, every picture tagged #LOVEHOPEPIZZA, and every story shared on the facebook page will equal an additional donation by Hungry Howie’s. On this Facebook page Hungry Howie’s not only encourages the support of breast cancer awareness, but also the encouragement and distribution of hope, through inspiring survivor and supporter stories.

Another tradition that will be upheld this October is the sale of the Pink Ribbon Bagel at Panera Bread. For every ribbon-shaped bagel that is sold, Panera will donate 10 cents to the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, as it has been doing since the raisin-cranberry bagel was introduced in 2001. #rough this opportunity Panera o!ers a great way to support and get involved with Breast Cancer Awareness Month, as the Pink Ribbon Bagel’s slogan says, “Doing good never tasted so

Sierra Wangler, Sta! Reporterinto mirror a"er her drastic change in ‘do.

“I absolutely hated it and I actually cried,” she said.

Not too long a"er, Lyons warmed up to her new hairstyle. She now looks back and is happy that she contributed to a worthy cause.

Emily Dulzo was pressured into cutting her hair by her older sister, but in time, a"er learning how to manage and style her new bob, she grew to like it.

“I realized that not everyone could have the hair I had and that mine would always grow back,” she said.

Responding to need by reaching out to others is crucial, yet sometimes organizations are not completely honest with their customers. “Wigs for Kids” is a non-pro$t organization and provides patients with free wigs, while “Locks of Love” makes the recipients pay prices ranging in the thousands for wigs according to forbes.com.

“I think that it is wrong that “Locks of Love” charges for wigs, but I donated to them unaware of this,” said Dulzo.

Before donating, it is important to be educated and informed on where the hair is going and who will be receiving it.

As di%cult as it is for many girls to donate their coveted hair, one small sacri$ce can lead to a monumental change in someone else’s life.

A Daring Donation

Health & Beauty Page 7

Hungry Howie’s advertises their support of breast cancer awareness with bright pink pizza boxes.

Phot

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redi

ts: S

ierr

a Wan

gler

Junior Bridget Lyons cut 10” off before freshman year in support of her aunt.

Junior Emily Dulzo was encouraged to donate her hair by her sister, but is happy with her decision.

Photo Credit: Molly Schwalm

Page 8 Student Life

As a Mercy student opens her mo-bile device and !nds countless all-school emails, she scrolls down upon Mrs. Julie Earle’s note about the new Mercy app. Im-pressed by the school’s new mobility, she downloads the app without hesitation.

"anks to Mrs. Earle, members of the Mercy community can now keep up-to-date via the Mercy mobile app. Mrs. Earle manages several communication functions for the school. Her main tasks include marketing, advertising, social media updates, the Mercy Memo and co-editing the Mosaic with Ms. Margaret Kurpiers (alumnae relations coordina-tor). Recently, Mrs. Earle developed the new app with the intention of increasing touch points with school and making the student experience as user friendly as possible. Additionally, Mrs. Earle is in charge of creating the novelties that !ll the ‘goody bags’ for visitors to the school. She is even responsible for the messaging on the electronic marquis sign bordering the intersection at Middlebelt and Eleven Mile Roads.

“I try to keep everyone connected to Mercy,” said Mrs. Earle. “Whether it is a student, a sta# member, or alumnae, I have to e#ectively communicate all the happenings and news.”

Mrs. Earle is excited about the new Mercy High School app. "is app fea-tures everything happening at Mercy. It is mhsmi.org merged into an app with many other features, including social media, photo galleries, announcements, school life and more.

Advancement Family

Megan Haase, Sta# Reporter

O f f i c e Fa c e s

Walking down the hallway, students see many familiar faces and say many hellos, but one genuine smile stands out

in particular. Standing near the reception area, this man never misses an opportunity to cordially greet a student and take an implicit interest in her day. But just who is this man?

Mr. Thomas Sklut, director of advancement, and many other familiar faces that students may have trouble putting a name to work in the Advancement Office. Behind the wooden doors lies a brightly lit, air conditioned area where one meets the staff who make up Mercy’s infrastructure.

“Advancement means just that,” said Mrs. Julie Earle. “It is to advance Mercy and ensure that they are continuing, developing and leading the way.”

Mrs. Earle manages Mercy’s communications and website, mhsmi.org. She is responsible for numerous things in the advancement office including the Mosaic, the new Mercy app, and social media (see sidebar). Mosaic is a magazine that is published twice yearly for alumnae, parents, supporters, and friends.

The Advancement Office has numerous responsibilities, some of which include coordinating alumni relations, recruiting and admissions, events, data management, public relations and fundraising. Under these divisions, the office provides the foundation on which all of Mercy thrives. It keeps the school dynamic by connecting and essentially advancing it.

“The Mercy sisterhood and community go on forever,” said president Dr. Cheryl Kreger.

As an alumna, she understands what it takes for mercy to be a progressive institution.

Advancement takes on the challenge

Create an Ad: Mrs. Earle

of broadcasting Mercy and its accomplishments to the community. The art department serves as a venue to showcase the works of student. Stationery and announcements sent to alumni, current students and potential students, contain artwork produced exclusively by Mercy girls. Advancement’s effort to display the hard work and talents of students is just one of the many ways the school is promoted.

“You will not find two greater cheerleaders for our girls than Dr. Kreger and I,” said Mr. Sklut.

The advancement office also makes a concerted effort to financially support the Mercy students.

“We are giving the gift of a Mercy education,” said Mrs. Earle. “It’s advancing Mercy to be as thriving as it has been throughout the...years.” Since Mercy does not receive any government support in funding its students, it is advancement’s job to find other avenues for obtaining money. There is a gap between tuition and the cost of funding a student and advancement is continually finding ways and donors to supply this money.

“We are constantly talking about Mercy girls,” said Mr. Sklut. “We’re looking for people in the community that want to support the education of young women.”

After the school’s annual auction has taken place, efforts are refocused from fundraising to financial aid programs. Advancement prides itself on finding the perfect fit for each student who needs financial help, and makes sure that support goes to funding an education based on the core values of Mercy and Catherine McAuley’s initial mission.

“We try to do any kind of work that supports the education of the young women in our school,” said Dr. Kreger. “We’ll do whatever it takes.”

People you may know

!omas Sklut

Dr. Cheryl Kreger

Lindsay Weismiller

Maureen Weiss

Julie Earle

Margaret Kurpiers

Chris Blitz

S. Nancy Thompson

Marlene Wojcik

Jennifer Stark

Photos Reprinted with Permission from: Lifetouch

Create an App: Mrs. EarleMoving Forward: A Look into Advancement

sleep every night,” said Miracle. “But I would suck it up every day because I knew it wasn’t about me; I needed to be there for him.”

Having transferred out of state, Miracle was tormented by some of her classmates and even her friends did not understand what Miracle was struggling with. Her personal experiences with bullying have taught her to be non-judgemental and accepting of all her peers. As a result, Miracle reaches out to better her community and the lives of those around her.

“When I’m in pain, the best strategy is to not focus the pain I feel, but focus on going out helping others and their pain,” said Miracle.

Miracle had a dream to help change the lives of children, and she had the perfect idea of how to do it. It all began when she learned about the poor living conditions of the children in Africa through her friend, Morgan Fisher. When she was 14, Fisher founded Bands that JAM (Joint Aid Management) for Africa, a non-pro!t organization whose proceeds from its concerts go to help feed, education, clothe, and provide clean drinking water for children in Africa.

Miracle, along with the help of some friends and Bands that JAM for Africa, created Dodge for a Cause, a dodgeball tournament aimed to raise enough money to transform the life of at least one child, but hopefully many more.

"e event, which took place on December 16th, 2012, was a huge success. Over 300

people competed and they raised over $1,500, which is enough money to provide for 30 children in Africa for a year.

Miracle is determined to have an even better turnout this year at the second annual Dodge for a Cause on January 25th at Groves High School in Beverly Hills.

“When I see people in need it starts a !re in my heart,” said Miracle. “If I could help the world, I would.”

Now Alec is 13 and the disease is

Page 9Student Life

What would you do if your entire life changed in one night? If you had to pack your bags and move hundreds of miles away? Abandon

your friends and family for the health of your sibling?

Eight years ago, Junior Christina Miracle was given one day to leave everything in Michigan behind and start a new life in Arizona. Alec Miracle, Christina’s younger brother, was diagnosed with Henoch–Schönlein purpura, or HSP, an extremely rare and incurable immune disease. Alec’s entire body was covered in rashes and his joints swelled to the point of crippling him.

“He used to yell “Mommy, cut my hands o#” because the pain was so unbearable,” said Miracle.

Miracle’s parents decided they did not want to treat their 5-year-old son Alec with the speci!c treatment doctors had been giving to children with the same disease. All children who underwent this treatment had passed away and the Miracles knew that they did not want the same fate for their son.

A$er denying this treatment, Child Protective Services stated that the Miracle family had refused to provide necessary medical treatment for their ill child. CPS gave the Miracle family 24 hours to change their decision, or all of their children would be taken from them. In order to avoid this, the Miracles moved to Arizona, where Alec could receive a more e#ective medical treatment.

“Living in Arizona, I used to cry myself to

Emma Mallon , Sta! Reporter

If you are Catholic, you might not notice the large cross mosaic, anti-abortion bulletin board, or the Catherine McAuley statue

that accent the hallways of Mercy High School. You might overlook the small !gure of the cruci!ed Jesus that hangs below a classroom’s clock, or think it’s perfectly normal that daily schedules o$en include mass. However, these religious symbols and events are not taken for granted by Mercy students who are not Christian.

Since the majority of Mercy students are Christian, they tend to simply accept the fact that Mercy immerses its students in Catholic values and traditions. However, non-Christian students experience Mercy’s religious enthusiasm very di#erently. For example, Amira Badr, a senior, is Muslim. Badr decided to attend Mercy because her older sister fell in love with the school. "ough her religion is undoubtedly di#erent than Christianity, Badr says that there are many teachings that the two religions share.

“"ere are de!nitely con%icting beliefs,” said Badr, “but the basis of the three main

Katie Schubert, Sta! Reporterworld religions - Christianity, Judaism, and Islam - are altogether the same because they have the same foundations.”

Other non-Christian Mercy students !nd it harder to reconcile their beliefs with Christianity. Hailey Rosenblum, a sophomore, chose to attend Mercy for its high educational standards. She does not identify herself with a religion, but believes in the laws and discoveries of science. "ese beliefs, according to Rosenblum, are not compatible with Christianity.

“Everything about it is con%icting,” said Rosenblum. “It’s two di#erent things.”

Sophomore Tomoe Miyazaki, a Buddhist, sees her religion as distinctly di#erent from Catholicism.

“Christians go to church every Sunday as a routine, but we don’t go to the temples in a routine like that,” Miyazaki said. “For sacred scripture, we, the believers, do not read it like Christians do for the Bible. "e monks read it out loud during prayer.”

No matter her religion, no Mercy student is exempt from the requirement of taking religion classes. "e non-Christians students

who take these classes interpret both the classes themselves and the requirement to take them in di#erent ways. Miyazaki !nds Mercy’s religion classes intriguing, but thinks that they put non-Christian students at a disadvantage.

“I hate how it a#ects the GPA,” said Miyazaki, “because I think it is unfair to non-Christians who don’t know anything about Catholicism or Christianity. However, I think it is interesting to know about what di#erent religions believe in.”

Badr’s perspective on religion di#ers from that of a Christian student.

“I kind of took it as another history class, as more information,” said Badr. “"e discussions are always interesting too, and it’s interesting when teachers ask me about my perspective on things.”

According to Badr, Mercy has helped her grow in her own convictions.

“It has kind of helped me rea&rm my own faith, realizing that I totally get why they believe what they believe and practice,” Badr said. “But I’m more comfortable with the way I do it.”

dormant in his system, but there is the constant fear that it could become active at any moment. Alec’s extreme sickness and other real life experiences have in%uenced Christina to become even more faith-!lled and determined to change the lives of those around her.

“It has given me more compassion and an ability to relate to people in pain,” said Miracle. “I look at life like every day that you have with someone is precious.”

Contrasting Convictions

Goodness to GODliness

Photo Credit: K

atie Schubert

The most obvious example of Mercy’s emphasis on Christianity is its requirement of all students to take religion classes.

After nearly losing her brother, Alec, Christina Miracle cherishes the time she spends with him.

Photo reprinted with perm

ission from: C

hristina Miracle

Page 10 Sports

Ahh, yet again Detroit, we were so close yet still so far away. !ree runs to be exact.

!ree runs is what stood between our Detroit Tigers surviving one more day in the post-season, and ultimately the chance for a trip to the World Series.

Instead, the Tigers’ post-season came to a disappointing a"er su#ering a 5-2 loss to the Boston Red Sox in game six of the American League Championship Series. Everyone knew that the series itself was going to be a true test of the talents of both ball clubs. !at was easy

to recognize a"er the $rst three games of the series were won or lost only by one run. But in the end Boston proved to have the upper hand.

!e Detroit bullpen was pathetic. Twice in the series, it gave up grand slams. First David Ortiz ties up the game with his grand slam in game two (which Boston then went on to win), and then in game six Shane Victorino–who had been in a slump all series–hits a long ball that cleared the bases. !e most painful part of Victorino’s at-bat comes from the fact that he was in the hole with two strikes before Veras’ hung a curveball over the plate, and Victorino hung it over the wall. Previous to that, the trouble started when the talented but young Jose Iglesias showed his inexperience when he booted a routine double play ground ball that put runners on, setting the stage for Victorino.

While Boston’s o#ense had no trouble producing, the Tiger’s o#ense was not so fortunate. !e bats of power hitting duo Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder were uncharacteristically quiet in the post-season. Cabrera $nished with a .262 batting average in the 2013 post-season, while Fielder an even

less impressive .182. A"er the loss in game six Fielder has come under some hot criticism, and rightfully so. He has a nine-year $214 million contract. !ose who thought his deal was absurd in the beginning are feeling it even more now. Fielder’s play in the series was pretty awful, highlighted by his horri$c base running which resulted in a rally-killing, inning ending double play in the last game. He misplayed one of the most simple rules of running the bases, one taught to young kids who are just starting o# in little league; once you’re halfway down the baseline, don’t stop, and certainly don’t become a spectator to the play.

Finding a new manager will be at the top of Tigers’ General Manager Dave Dombrowski’s to-do list for the o# season. A"er the loss, manager Jim Leyland resigned. Even though it might be hard to see him go, I think it’s for the best. Leyland himself even said that the “fuel was running low”.

While the baseball season has o%cially come to an end, the Lions, the boys of fall, have made it almost halfway through their 16-week season. As we approach week eight, I give

“Dare to be Great” is one of Mercy’s swim and dive (MVSD) team’s most well-known sayings. MVSD has certainly lived up

to this saying, considering they have been state champions for $ve consecutive years. In addition to another banner on the gym wall and a newer version of a state ring, state championships also earn a day o# for the entire school.

As much as everyone enjoys a day o#, many students and sta# may not understand the struggles the MVSD team go through on a daily basis. What does it exactly take to be a competitive member of the Mercy Swim and Dive team?

“Dedication,” said junior Maddy Loniewski. “You have to really want to be there.”

While dedication and determination are certainly mandatory, physical strength is needed, as well. Typical athletes only have one practice a day, but swimmers have to endure “two-a-days”. !ese types of practices consist of a 90-minute morning practice and 135-minute practice a"er school.

In the pool, there is a warm up and a main set. !e warm ups consist of a kick and pull set, which entails forty-$ve minutes of fast swimming; each swimmer’s strokes are under intense scrutiny. In between each set, swimmers enjoy a quick two minute break. Twice a week the team li"s weights and does dry-land workouts.

Dual meets are usually once a week and last about an hour and a half, and swimmers are usually put into their own personal best events. Bigger meets can last up to three to four hours because of the number of competitors, and the roster may be changed at the last minute.

MVSD team carries an immense amount of stress on their shoulders, since they are renowned as one of the best swim and dive teams in the state. !e sport may o"en triumph over school during the season because of how much time is needed just to be a competitive and successful member of the team.

“Mercy generally has a large workload and swimming takes up so much time with practices a"er school and sometimes before school,” said Loniewski. “October is our hardest month because the practices get really hard and it’s when the homework loads start to get even bigger.”

!e average swimmer gets up at 5:00 in the morning to be in the pool by 6:30 a.m. and swim until sign-in. A"er morning practice, team members have an academically challenging school day and then head straight to an a"ernoon practice at 3:00 sharp. !e swimmers are still expected to complete all of their homework and study for tests, and of course, be $nished by a reasonable hour.

“During the school day I feel like I’m a lot more exhausted,” said junior Michaela Bargardi. “It takes away from school

because you don’t really have time to study.”Swimmers are advised by coaches to

eat healthy and get at least six hours of sleep. As closely as the swimmers follow these two suggestions, they still have some injuries. !e most common injury for swimmers is to their shoulders because of how much upper body strength is required and the constant pulling in races. Another common injury is damage to the hips because of kicking.

!e calendar that many gym/swim students have noticed near the pool is to regulate if the team is eating healthy or not, otherwise known as the “Dot Diet”. !ere is a yellow marker and a maroon marker. Before the day of a big meet, the swimmers

Tigers’ Roar Fades

A Day in the Deep End competing are required to put a yellow dot if they have eaten badly or a maroon dot if they have eaten healthy. !eir coach, Shannon Dunworth, monitors the calendar to see if the team is eating well.

Although Dunworth may be a challenging coach, it is only because he wants the team to be the best that they can be.

“He’s really strict, but he loves what he does,” said Bargardi. “It’s his favorite thing to do and you can tell that he genuinely loves the sport.’’

As grueling and under-appreciated as the sport of swimming is, hard work unquestionably pays o# for the talented athletes on MVSD.

Peyton Pawlusiak, Sta! Reporter

Jordan Ewald, Senior Sta! Reporter

A varsity swimmer competes at the Oakland County Meet.

mixed reviews on their season so far. While the days of the terrible Detroit Lions

are gone, please remember that the season is far from over, and there is plenty of time for a return of the Lions of the past. With the addition of Reggie Bush to this year’s squad the team is o# to a better start. But it still seems that the team’s top assets are Calvin Johnson and Matthew Sta#ord. Without Calvin in the game it is di%cult to put points on the board. Earlier this year Calvin actually missed the game against Green Bay, which resulted in a loss and a low-producing o#ense. Sta#ord has done a somewhat impressive job so far. With performances wavering from week to week it’s hard to say whether they’ll be able to uphold the above .500 average. Recall last year, when Detroit $nished the season on a sour note, with an 8 game losing streak to conclude the year. Let’s face it, the Lions have a rough track record when it comes to wins and losses. Regardless of the ups and downs of both the Tigers and the Lions, one thing is for sure. Detroit’s teams have a special place in the hearts of many Mercy students. Win or lose, it’s a great time to be a Detroit sports fan.

Reprinted w

ith permission from

Melissa K

argul.

Page 11Sports

In the words of Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps, “You can’t put a limit on anything. !e more you dream, the farther

you get”. But in the case of sports, is this really true? An athlete can be hindered by injuries, accidents, and, as many high school students have begun to notice, cost.

“A lot of people quit when they "nd out the cost of [ice hockey],” said sophomore Julia Henderson. As a returning member of the state champion ice hockey team, she is very passionate about the sport, but recognizes how cost can be an obstacle for many girls wishing to play.

“You have to buy lots of equipment,” she continued. “I have to buy pads (shoulder, knee, and elbow), di#erent types of shorts, gloves, a neckguard, skates, and don’t even get me started on the cost of a stick.”

According to www.hockeymonkey.com, hockey equipment begins at $500 if a participant chooses to own all the gear.

Henderson described her equipment as a small price to pay in comparison to the expenses of goalie “gear”. On top of the price of equipment, Henderson added that each girl on the team is responsible for buying “ice time” or renting the ice rink to practice for hours each week.

Bridget Carlson, Web Editor“Ice time is usually $300 per month

for all 20 girls on the team, but it can be as expensive as $1000 per month,” said Henderson.

Although the expenses of ice hockey keep some from participating, Henderson believes the experience is de"nitely worth the price the athlete pays.

“It’s de"nitely worth it if you love the sport,” she said..

Ice Hockey does not stand alone as the most expensive sport at Mercy. Equestrian, golf, tennis and ski are all referred to as “country club sports” and top the charts as the most una#ordable sports at the school.

Although these sports appear more expensive, almost all sports require some level of monetary commitment.

!e simple onlooker may view cross country as the cheapest of sports, but sophomore Shannon Robinson disagrees.

“I had to spend almost $600 on cross country last year,” Robinson said. “I bought shoes, spikes, replacement spikes, and under armour for the cold races.”

It becomes clear that quite o$en, the simple love for the sport is no longer enough. To keep up in the modern high school sports world, one must be ready to pay.

When Cost Cuts into Commitment

Prices based on Play It Again Sports study

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Hockey Ski Cross Country

Golf

1000 Breaking It Down

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Photo Credit: Tori N

oble

Photo Credit: A

licia Finnorn

The Mercy skiiers hit the chair lift.Maya Flores ’13 takes a shot for Mercy Ice Hockey.

Halloween isn’t just about the tricks and the treats or the opportunity to dress up in a costume -- it’s about spending

time with your family and friends, and having fun while doing it. Although it’s di!cult to "nd Halloween-themed activities that the whole family might enjoy, there are still many things o#ered in the Metro Detroit area that will appeal to all ages.

Hallowe’en in Green"eld Village is a safe, family friendly event that focuses on what Halloween would be like in the 20th century. Described as “frightfully fun”, it appeals to anyone who is seeking to experience a di#erent aspect of Halloween. With 11 themed treat stations, 1,000 hand-carved jack-o’-lanterns, and interesting characters clad in unique costumes, Hallowe’en in Green"eld Village is a fun outing for families.

Junior Lia Korzeniewski has been attending the event annually for 10 years, along with her family and neighbors, and de"nitely plans on visiting it again this year.

“I feel like I’m a little kid again. It’s been like a yearly thing since I was little and brings back the best memories,” said Korzeniewski.

Page 12 Page 13

Fall is in the air as leaves begin to drop and crockpots start to simmer various home-cooked stews. $ough all of us love

comfort food, teenagers rarely know how to make any warm, tasty dishes. Here, we give you two easy and delicious fall recipes that are guaranteed to delight during this chilly cider-and-donuts season.

Sydney Hembree, Design Editor

Appetizer: Potato SkinsIngredients8 whole russet potatoes (medium in

size)4 tablespoons canola oil2 tablespoons butterSalt1 1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese8 slices of bacon (chopped)2 whole green onions (diced)1/2 cup sour cream DirectionsPreheat oven to 400 degrees. Scrub

potatoes clean and allow them to dry. With your hands, rub the skin of the potatoes with 2 tablespoons canola oil so that they’re nice and moist. Place potatoes on a baking sheet and bake until skin is crisp and potatoes are tender, about 30 to 40 minutes. Remove the pan and allow to cool until you can handle the potatoes. Cut potatoes in half lengthwise. Scoop out the insides, leaving a little bit of potato in the skins. Melt the butter with 2 tablespoons canola oil, then brush both the outside and the inside of the potatoes. Sprinkle the inside lightly with salt. Place potato halves face-down and return to the oven for 5 to 8 minutes. Using tongs, turn the potatoes over and continue to bake until the edges of the potatoes start to turn golden brown. Remove from oven. Fill the insides of the potato skins with cheddar, then sprinkle on the chopped bacon. Return to the oven long enough for the cheese to melt, about 3 to 4 minutes. Serve with sour cream, green onions and any other toppings you desire.

Dessert: Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter,

softened1 cup white sugar1 cup light brown sugar2 large eggs1 teaspoon vanilla extract1 cup canned pumpkin puree3 cups all-purpose flour2 teaspoons baking soda1/2 teaspoon salt1 teaspoon ground cinnamon1/2 teaspoon ground ginger1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg1/4 teaspoon ground cloves2 cups (12-ounce bag) milk chocolate

chips, not semisweetNonstick cooking spray or parchment

paper

DirectionsHeat the oven to 350o F. Spray cookie

sheets with nonstick spray or line them with parchment paper. Using a mixer beat the butter until smooth. Beat in the white and brown sugars, a little at a time, until the mixture is light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs 1 at a time, then mix in the vanilla and pumpkin puree. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves. Slowly beat the flour mixture into the batter in thirds. Stir in the chips. Scoop the cookie dough by heaping tablespoons onto the prepared cookie sheets and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the cookies are browned around the edges. Remove the cookie sheets from the oven and let them rest for 2 minutes. Cool on wire racks.

All recipes courtesy of the Food Network

Alycia Washington, Sta! Reporter

Makeup to Die For“I think the makeup is what makes the haunted house so great,” said drama teacher Ms. Anne Eddy. “One time, I had a

girl come up to me and say ‘I don’t really like the makeup. It’s too scary.’ I think that’s a huge compliment. It’s exactly what we’re going for.”

$e annual haunted house hosted by the drama department has always been a huge success. In recent years, the addition of gory stage makeup has taken the attraction to the next level. When Ms. Eddy came back to Mercy as a teacher, she brought her knowledge of stage makeup with her.

“We started the haunted house my senior year, right when we started our chapter of the International $espian Society,” said Ms. Eddy. “We did some makeup then, but it wasn’t until a year later that I really got interested in stage makeup. I actually took a class in college about stage makeup. We had a lot of projects throughout the class, like gender reversal and old age projects.”

$e projects Ms. Eddy completed in college are not unlike some of the projects in Mercy’s own $eater Production course. $e class, which covers many aspects of

Alicia Finnorn, Senior Sta! ReporterA Family

Friendly Halloween

Another family friendly Halloween event is Halloweekends at Cedar Point located in Sandusky, Ohio. During the day the amusement park follows its motto of putting the “wee in Halloween” and is very kid-oriented. It has many events that cater to younger children who can dress up and do arts-and-cra%s. However, once the sun begins to go down, the haunted attractions open and workers dressed in frightening costumes wander the park.

“It’s a great place to spend time with your friends to get a good scare on Halloween,” said freshmen Sophie Van Acker.

$e Detroit Zoo also hosts a yearly Halloween extravaganza with the motto “merry not scary”. Despite the fact that Boo Zoo is meant for smaller children, it is still a fun event to attend with your family if you just want to experience the Detroit Zoo during Halloween. Unfortunately, Boo Zoo does not give out large amounts of candy, but it is still guaranteed to be a sweet treat for you and your family.

By attending one of these festive events, you’re guaranteed to have a great time and make memories that will last a lifetime with your loved ones.

putting on a production, also contains a section on learning how to do corrective makeup, old age, and even bruising.

“$e girls get to do black eyes and they really like coming up with stories about them,” said Ms. Eddy. “I think the stage makeup is the reason so many girls take the class. $is year we have two classes. $at’s never happened before.”

On o# days, Ms. Eddy teaches students more advanced stage makeup, like zombie makeup. Students in the $eater Production class and members of the International $espian Society are invited to attend these optional workshops. Once students have learned how to apply the more advanced stage makeup, they can help apply makeup for the haunted house.

“Last year I was able to teach some girls how to do the zombie makeup, so they could come in early on Halloween and help with that,” said Ms. Eddy. “I get up at around 4:30 on Halloween to do makeup, so it’s a big help to have students who know how to do it. $at way, I have time to do other makeup, like give girls playing Bloody Mary fake slit throats.”

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Recipes to Fall For

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It is Halloween night and you are taking your 5-year-old sister trick-or-treating. She is skipping down the sidewalk

and giggling in her new Cinderella costume, smiling as she receives a handful of candy from an elderly neighbor. Looking around at the other children waiting for candy, you see a girl not much older than your sister dressed in a plaid skirt just long enough to cover her behind. Her white oxford shirt is unbuttoned low enough to reveal a lacy bra underneath. Her name tag states in big letters “Hello, my name is…Naughty Schoolgirl.” Your little sister tugs on your sleeve and points to the girl, asking what she is dressed as.

Halloween used to be a competition

“Peace be with you.” While repeating these four

words, I did what every good Catholic does: pasted a polite

smile on my face and began to negotiate the confusion of handshakes that characterizes the offering of peace. Seriously, this portion of the mass is like a middle-school math ��ϐ��has already shaken hands and who still needs to shake hands, all while attempting to maneuver in the cramped pews.

Generally, I escape the madness with only minor consequences, but a few months ago I encountered a very strange situation when I turned to the fragile, elderly lady behind me, hand outstretched. Oddly enough, my

Page 14 Opinions

Anjali Alangaden, Editor-in-Chief

Love Thy Neighbor

Katharine Rzepecki, Senior Sta! Reporter

Inappropriate Halloween Costumes Reinforce Stereotypesto see who could create the creepiest costume, get the most candy, and scare the most people. In recent years, however, Halloween has gone from spooky to sexy. Instead of monsters, ghouls, and princesses, costumes like �� ǲ�� ǳ� ��ϐ�� glamour of sex that society seems to love. This sexualization makes females seem more like mere objects of interest instead of people. Girls’ costumes seem to be more revealing and inappropriate each year.

Sex sells. We see it everywhere: in movies, magazines, and commercials. Halloween costumes are an $8 billion industry, and manufacturers have not failed to jump on the risqué bandwagon to bring in more revenue for themselves. Skirts have gotten shorter, and more skin is exposed with each new costume idea.

Every year, we seem to see more and more young girls dressed up in costumes showing too much skin or acting in provocative ways on Halloween. This ��ϐ�� sexualization of girls.

The American Psychological Association Task Force found in a 2007 study that when girls are sexualized, they

��ϐ��stony eyes and an unsmiling face.

Not understanding her refusal, I determinedly waved my hand up and down, as if she just didn’t understand what I wanted her to do. But she understood my ��ϐ��Ǣ��refused to do it. I had seen her shake hands with the people around me, so I could hardly understand why she refused to shake mine. Had I been coughing on my hands or were ��ǫ��ǯ��ϐ��Ǥ��

Later, while kneeling at the pew, I �� ϐ�� all signs of dirt. Fortunately, this pastime looked far more prayerful than it actually was, because I spent the rest of mass thinking about that failed handshake, studiously ignoring the priest. Suddenly, a rather dark thought popped into my head.

What if she was ignoring my handshake because she thought my hands were dirty, just not the way I had expected? Maybe this ��ϐ��had refused my “Peace be with you” simply because of my skin color.

I’ll be completely honest: I immediately wrote off that possibility, partially because

I had never expected such blatant prejudice at church, but mostly because this woman was just so darn cute! But as I not-so-covertly observed her actions towards me during the next few weeks, that dark ��ϐ��Ǥ

Whenever we happened to end up seated near each other, she would very deliberately avoid eye contact with me, all while offering the sign of peace to everyone else. These actions alone would not have convinced me of her prejudice, were it not �� ϐ�� Ǥ� �� ǡ� �� was a Eucharistic Minister, I saw her leave my communion line and walk all the way around the church to join the other line, presumably, I suppose, to avoid taking the host from me.

While it is certainly true that the average skin tone of this parish is quite a few shades lighter than my own, I have never once felt unwelcome there. With that it mind, encountering her prejudice in such a bold and unashamed way was eye-opening to say the least.

Strangely enough, I wasn’t upset or angry at this woman, but her actions did make me think about the concepts of race

and what it means to be a Christian. Now, either of these subjects is complex enough to write several college dissertations on, but I might as well add my two cents to the pile.

Intellectually, I know that racism and prejudice are still present in the modernday but I don’t think I was really prepared to recognize that personally. I was especially unprepared to deal with it in a place of worship, where the ideals of equality have always been preached. I can’t speak for her though, a little old woman who is set in her ways. I do know my own mind, however.

Being repeatedly snubbed by this woman has made me realize something, though. I can’t force her to like me, I can’t tell her how hypocritical she is, and I cannot change her ways, but I can choose how to respond to her.

I doubt anyone would really blame me if I chose to snub her back, and I did do that very thing for a few weeks. But to treat her rudely would be giving in to the very thing that I have just complained about. So instead, whenever I am faced with “my nemesis”, I still stretch out my hand and smile as sweetly as I can, and say as genuinely as possible, “peace be with you.”

start to think differently of themselves. The constant attention that is given to “sexy women” in television, magazines, and movies likely contributes to why girls develop lower self-esteem, depressive symptoms, and eating disorders.

Many parents are upset about this growing Halloween phenomenon for obvious reasons. A petition on Change.org asked Liberty Media Corporation in 2010 to stop selling costumes that sexualize girls. Liberty Media Corporation’s major brand at buycostumes.com sells young girls’ costumes with inappropriate versions of just about anything. Sexualized costumes have been made of children’s storybook characters like Little Bo Peep, respected jobs like a nurse, animals, and even food (sexy watermelon). Last month, Wal-Mart sold a costume for toddlers that had the name “Naughty Leopard.”

Sexualized costumes have made their way into the lives of young girls, and dressing up in these inappropriate ways only reinforces hurtful stereotypes earlier in a girl’s life. Negative effects of sexualization are affecting females earlier, creating problems much scarier than your typical Halloween spook. Photo Credit: Katharine Rzepecki

Like the name states, this costume is just one of many that sexualize women.

5x5What are your opinions of women’s Halloween costumes?

Are you planning to visit Mercy’s haunted house?

What are you impressions of Pope Francis?

What clubs are you involved with at Mercy?

Have you experienced any “flipped” classrooms?

I signed up for Spanish Honor Society.

I went to Just Peace. I’m involved with French Club.

I’m in French Club and French Honor Society and I’ll probably do Mercy Works this year.

Science club

No, I haven’t heard of that...

I have that for Mrs. Kline-Kator’s Bible class... I guess I like it.

I haven’t had any of those.

Yes; I haven’t used it yet at ��ǡ��ϐ��be using it in the future.

I think he’s really awesome... I really like him!

I don’t know that much about him.

I actually don’t know much about the new pope.

I love what he stands for, how he stands up for the people who can’t stand up for themselves.

It depends, but some people’s are just innappropriate.

Some of them need to be less provocative.

Some of them can be kind of scandalous looking, and I don’t think those are okay.

I had one last year. I didn’t really like it... I prefer learning in the actual classroom.

They’re highly over-sexualized; we should try to be a little more modest.

Yes. Yes, it was very fun last year!

If I have any off hours, I will.

Yeah, that would be fun!

CAITLIN SOMMERVILLE ’16 EMILY BINIENDA ’15 MIKAYLA BENTON ’14 MRS. WILSONEVIE DAHMER ’17

Page 15Opinions

I feel like he’s going to do really great things for the churth

Nowadays, they’re getting very over-sexualized.

Of course!

It’s 1:30 a.m. and you’re only halfway through your homework because you didn’t pay attention in class or can’t

remember how to do any of it. Eventually, you decide to somehow !gure it out before class with a friend’s help. "e chapter test isn’t for a few days, so you don’t care that there’s no real comprehension of how the problem was solved. Sound familiar?

With this becoming a more common situation in students’ lives, some teachers have converted to a “#ipped classroom” method of teaching. "is allows a teacher to prepare a lesson for the students to watch at home, and then coming to school the next day to do the homework in class. Its bene!ts are countless, and should de!nitely become a more popular method in all schools.

“In a traditional classroom,” said science teacher Mr. Jan Wampuszyc, “you do a lecture, and say ‘here’s the homework’. Kids go home and they might get frustrated because they have no one to turn to for help. By #ipping the classroom, they come in the next day and they can work on the problems in the classroom with the other kids and with me.”

"e lessons at home are normally taught through an easily accessable YouTube video where the teacher gives a verbal explanation, while simultaneously writing on the screen as the problem is being solved. "is conveniently allows the student to pause and take notes on the information, in addition to giving them a reliable reference during last minute study sessions.

“It’s great for kids who learn by listening

Page 16 Pro Con

or by seeing,” said religious studies teacher Ms. wAlison Kline-Kator.

"e time spent in a #ipped class allows teachers to pay attention to each student’s questions and have enough time to get through all of them. In a traditional classroom, teachers must try and rush through answering questions from the previous day’s lesson, and still teach a new lesson, all within about an hour.

“You only have under an hour to review the last section and learn new material,” said Junior Gia Toler, “and that in my opinion is not enough time.”

Students who are absent from school for a day or more tend to struggle catching up and trying to understand the lesson(s) they missed. With available videos at home, students no longer have to worry about being sick.

“"ere are so many bene!ts to the #ipped class,” said Wendy Roshan, an AP calculus teacher at Madeira School in Virginia. “I no longer have to worry about talking too fast when I’m lecturing, and if a student is absent, it’s so easy to catch up.”

Roshan also noticed more of her students doing signi!cantly well on the AP test a$er she #ipped her classroom.

“"e most rewarding part is that a$er my !rst year of #ipping, 80% of my students scored a ‘4’ or ‘5’ on the AP exam, with half of the class earning a perfect score!” said Roshan

According to Knewton, an adaptive learning company, Clintondale High School in Clinton Township, Michigan had 44% of its freshmen fail math, and 50% fail English before they employed the #ipped classroom model. A$er the #ip, only 13%

of the freshmen failed the same math class, and 19% failed the English class, proving the #ip to be a success.

"is method seems to be bene!cial not only to students, but to teachers as well. "ey are able to improve their roles by focusing their attention exclusively on the information that the students do not understand, and therefore use class time more e%ciently. In addition, concerns about cheating are appeased.

“I don’t have to worry as much about cheating because instead of sending home a worksheet, it’s ‘hey, !ll in your notes for homework’” said Kline-Kator.

A teacher’s part in the “at home” learning is to make the videos that the students watch, which are fairly easy to construct.

“I use an app called ‘Explain Everything’,” said Wampuszyc. “With that I can import PowerPoints that I already had made and then do the voice overs.”

Since most classes have not adapted this method, some students, like Toler, have connected to Kahn Academy, where you can make a free account to view #ip videos made by educator Salman Khan.

“If I ever have any questions in math that didn’t get answered, I can just watch these Kahn videos that help me get through the homework,” said Toler.

Instead of rushing to !nish homework before !rst hour, the #ipped classroom method gives students a chance to converse with their friends about the problems in class and under supervision of a teacher. "is way, comprehension of the material presents itself earlier than the day before the test.

Are Inverted Classrooms

Pro:

Megan Yatooma, Sta! Reporter

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Apps and websites like ShowMe, Explain Everything, and Jing are increasingly being used by Mercy High School teachers.

!ese programs are used to record “"ips”, videos that teach new lessons to students. !is is part of the trendy teaching method known as the “"ipped” classroom.

As the name implies, the standard lesson and homework roles are reversed. Students learn a lesson at home and complete homework assignments or projects in class the following day. One theme seems to be consistent among the student population: the "ipped classroom is either loved or loathed.

!e "ipped classroom proved to be an ine#ective teaching method in honors precalculus. For example, at the beginning of the school year, math teachers taught honors precalculus to their students using an inverted classroom. However, this method was stopped when chapter one test grades were signi$cantly lower than those of chapter two. A complaint she received from students was that the videos were too long, and this may have discouraged them from watching the "ips.

MacKenzie Cahill, Sta! Reporter

Con:

a Flip or a Flop?

Pro Con Page 17

Monday, October 28, 2013 Ch. 4 TEST 10/31SAVE

1st Hour:Notes on 4.5 and 4.6

Homework:4.5 p. 231 (11-99 eoo)

Solve f(x) > g(x)

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Mac

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“I think some students weren’t watching the videos or doing their homework,” said Mrs. Valerie Sosnowski.

Senior Sara Makki has learned physics and honors precalculus through inverted classes and found troubles include di%culty in learning new material, an increase in workload, and ultimately, lower grades.

“I hate "ipped classrooms,” said Makki. She says she thinks inverted classrooms are worse because the amount of homework gets increased and makes it harder to focus in class. In honors precalculus, she found herself having double the work at home because she had to $nish previous homework in addition to watching a video and taking notes. She also noticed her grade was lower on her test when she was taught this way.

Science teacher Mr. Jan Wampuszyc frequently uses the "ipped classroom approach to teach his students. He estimates 10-15% of the physics class material is taught through "ips. Although he recognizes there are mixed opinions, he uses "ips to o#er students di#erent options in an attempt to teach students individually.

While Mr. Wampuszyc held an open discussion with his fourth hour physics class, students shared their contrasting thoughts. A majority of students expressed their opinions against inverted classrooms.

“I like it when the teacher lectures and you can ask questions from them,” said senior Kari Cieslak.

Makki also agrees and says that she has been confused during "ips before and wished she could have asked questions at that time. Mr. Wampuszyc summarizes this as the greatest negative side to the "ipped classroom format.

“!e number one con is that if you have a question right there, you can’t ask it. !at’s the biggest drawback,” he said.

Although Mr. Wampuszyc o&en uses "ips to teach, he recognizes that sometimes the best learning experience results from a spontaneous classroom environment.

“!e reality is, sometimes the best planned classes fall "at on their faces and sometimes winging it results in the best class,” he said. Traditional classrooms o#er the most potential for students to learn, and this has been proven decade a&er decade.

Page 18 Entertainment

Teagan Dillon, Associate Editor-in-Chief

Fiesta in FarmingtonFarmington, Mercy girls are sure to receive some spice in their lives.

The location is perfect for half-days and early dismissals when students are looking to socialize with friends over lunch. Only seven minutes away, Los Tres Amigos is situated on Grand River Avenue off of Farmington Road. With two other locations in Canton and Howell, this chain is quickly growing.

“I’m actually wondering why I’m not there now,” said senior Rosie Arthur as she sat in the Media Center during an off hour.

The outdoor patio seating, situated at the front of the restaurant, perfectly matches the downtown Farmington feel, while the landscaping provides some privacy. Inside, you are welcomed with

bright colors and tasteful decorations. The chairs and booths are artfully decorated in southwestern style, and natural light illuminates the restaurant from all sides. The walls are painted in exuberant colors, complete with sombreros, coconut trees and parrots.

As soon as you are seated, a fresh plate of warm tortilla chips and salsa is brought out. The salsa, however, is not served in a typical dish, but in a bottle that allows customers to pour the amount they wish into a personal bowl. Not too spicy, and ��ǡ��ϐ��for everyone.

As far as sit-down restaurants go, Los Tres Amigos is quite student-friendly when it comes to prices. Combination dinners, consisting of a main helping and

Los Tres Amigos, conveniently located in downtown Farmington, provides a delicious meal and friendly service.

Photo Credit: Teagan D

illon

Romeo and Juliet Remake Fails to ImpressKate Soave, Senior Reporter

�� ϐ��adaptation of Romeo and Juliet a new take on a classic story or yet another failed

remake? The premise is strong enough; young Academy Award nominee Hailee Steinfeld and an (until recently) unknown Douglas Booth play the title roles of the most tragic and timeless love story ever written by none other than Shakespeare himself. However this gutsy stab at translating timeless literature onto the silver screen falls short of previous attempts and high expectations.

Hailee Steinfeld plays the love-struck Juliet with very little interpretation put into the famous lines, swallowing meaning in rushed and hushed deliveries. Such is the case especially in the well-known balcony scene in which Juliet counsels with herself and reveals her love for Romeo. The meaning beneath the words is not emphasized

��ϐ��and understand, thus losing its beauty and agelessness. Booth portrays Romeo with a fair amount of talent, though he too fails to deliver a performance that can stand against that of Leonard Whiting, who played Romeo in the 1968 adaptation.

Paul Giamatti plays Friar Lawrence with a naturalness that almost eases the ache of seeing the title characters played with such little passion. His interpretation perfectly illustrates Shakespeare’s intentions and his intense �� ϐ��is heart-wrenching. The range from �� ϐ�� reaction is wonderful to behold, especially in contrast to the lack thereof from the younger actors.�� ϐ��

leaves something to be desired. Dramatic opportunities are lost in overly dramatized music and comic

�� ϐ�� orchestrations. The general cheesiness �� ϐ�� this age-old tale of love and woe of some of its seriousness and gives instead the impression of a movie geared towards young girls looking for a fairytale to watch which is not what Romeo and Juliet is intended to be.

The movie does progress in terms of quality and by the time blood has been ��ǡ��ϐ��completely vanished, replaced by actual emotion and action as well as a clear telling of the story. However the long wait to get to this point is almost painful to anyone familiar with Shakespeare’s work or previous adaptations.

Overall, the most recent Romeo and Juliet is disappointing from the beginning then tries to make up for it by improving mildly with a well-orchestrated end. The poor acting by the two lead characters �� ϐ��

The 2013 Romeo and Juliet is a disappointing remake of the classic play.

Fair Use: contactm

usic.com

as well as Shakespeare’s words, and the extravagant form the beginning of the ϐ��Ǥ��looking for an accurate and entertaining vesion of the classic Shakespearean tale, this is not it.

Droopy seventh hour eyes suddenly brighten at the familiar sound of the end-of-the-day announcements. The halls are buzzing as the clock

reads 1:40, an early dismissal. Eager to leave school, but not wanting to return home just yet, students quickly meet their friends in the lobby for a rushed game plan.

Talk of Starbucks, Panera, or a coney island come into play, but it is mutually agreed that such restaurants are falling into the same dull routine. While they may satisfy cravings, they are not quite thrilling the taste buds any longer.

With the recent opening of Los Tres Amigos, an authentic-but-affordable Mexican restaurant in downtown

a side of rice and beans, are only $8.99, which is not much more than popular places like Panera Bread or Chipotle. The menu consists of what every self-respecting Mexican restaurant serves: various types of burritos, enchiladas, fajitas, and quesadillas.

Looking at the menu can be a bit overwhelming, considering that there are multiple versions of the same thing. For example, under the general “burrito” category, there are two columns worth of varieties. No matter what option you choose, however, each one is made with a fresh, melt-in-your-mouth tortilla, melted cheese on top, and classic red sauce.

“I’m always down to get some burritos with some good friends,” said senior Lauren Jackson. “I’m excited to try it.”

Conversation is easy in Los Tres Amigos; the booths have enough space between them so discussions can easily stay within each table, never feeling as though you are sitting on top of one another. The soft Spanish music adds to the overall ambiance, and there are even a few TVs ready to play current sports games.

So, the next time an early dismissal ��ǡ��ϐ��free time and a hungry belly, gather up your “amigos” and head to Los Tres Amigos. An otherwise average evening ��ϐ��Ǥ

Page 19Entertainment

You have waited for this moment all day.The lights are dim, casting shadows on the wall as you curl up on the

couch, a bag of Twizzlers in one hand and a can of pop in the other. Only the brightness emitted by the television serves as a beacon of light in a living ��Ǥ��ϐ��watch your favorite show.

As Autumn arrives, it brings with it the end of some of our most beloved television shows. Grey’s Anatomy is one of them. The show follows the lives of Dr. Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo), and Dr. Cristina Yang (Sandra Oh) as they grow ��ϐ��Sloan Memorial Hospital’s top surgical doctors. The season ten premiere picks �� ǯ�� ϐ�� Ǥ�After a massive storm strikes Seattle, a rush of patients are brought into the hospital. That, along with the sudden death of the intern Brooks, leaves the doctors sleep deprived and mourning the loss of one of their own.

Though the show is already nine seasons old, ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy has kept its fans dedicated, with its premiere episode airing in the number one spot for Thursday night dramas according to Tvbythenumbers.com.

Junior Emily Crowley started watching ��ǯ��ϐ��Ǥ

“I am honestly obsessed with the show,” said Crowley. “I think I watched ��ϐ��Ǥ��guess what will happen in the show. I like how complicated the relationships are and they don’t always have a happy ending. I love watching all the surgeries and the show always gets me emotionally attached.”

Olivia Collins, a sophomore, watches the show every week. She even rewatches all the old seasons.

Many fans were devastated when ABC broke the news that this would be the end of Grey’s Anatomy.

“When I found out the show was ��ǡ��ϐ��ǡ��I was just really mad,” said Collins. “It is

my favorite show and I don’t know what I’m going to do without my weekly dose of Grey’s Anatomy.”

Since it aired, viewers have been able to watch the doctors mature, fall in love, and endure heartbreak and loss, all the while still remaining strong for themselves and their patients. Viewers of the show believe it will be just as great as the previous seasons.

Grey’s Anatomy is not the only show coming to an end this Fall. How I Met ��ϐ��CBS as well. The Monday night show is �� ϐ�� future. The show revolves around Ted Mosby, an architect, who is relaying the story of how he met his wife to his son and daughter. Ted’s story of how he met his wife is one of humor and friendship. Senior Megan Bowers is a regular viewer.

“I think it’s hilarious,” said Bowers. “I love it, and the characters are relatable and realistic. You can still see the realistic human aspects of them, and it gives the show that much more depth.”

Similarly, junior Julia Petroff says she is addicted to the show.

“The characters are great,” said Petroff. “It’s funny to watch all the drama that goes on. All the characters are different, [yet] the same. They’re very relatable.”

When Petroff heard the show was ending, she was heartbroken. Bowers, on the other hand, was not surprised.

“I didn’t think the show would last this long,” said Bowers. “It was supposed to be a short story. I saw it coming.”�� ϐ��

season, fans believe it will prove to be the best one yet.

“This season has absolutely lived up to previous seasons,” said Bowers. “We �� ϐ�� ϐ�� mother is, and it will bring up a good conclusion to the show.”

As Grey’s Anatomy and How I Met Your Mother come to an end, they are proving to be shows that touch viewers’ hearts and minds, and will continue to be remembered by their dedicated fans.

Ihechi Ezuruonye, Sta! Reporter

“When I get sad, I stop being sad and be awesome instead.

True story.”- Barney Stinson

“It’s a beautiful day to save lives. Let’s have some fun.”- Dr. Derek Shepherd

Grey’s Anatomy

Fair Use: Flickr Photo, Erin W

illiamson

Fair Use: W

ikipedia Com

mons

Farewell to Two Fall Favorites

Page 20 Art & Design

Applying to college is a stressful process, but art school applications are a di!erent challenge entirely. Mercy now has

a class speci"cally for students undergoing the notoriously challenging art school

Nicole Skandalaris, Senior Sta! Reporter

Art Anxietyapplication process, known as AP Studio Art. For these art-school-bound students, even the class itself has its own rigorous criteria to meet before getting a spot.

Replacing what was known as Portfolio Preparation in previous years, AP Studio

Art provides for a more challenging environment where students both work on their portfolios for colleges and prepare for the AP exam. #ere are only four students in the class, as it is not easy to get into, with a suggested 5 semesters of art classes to be taken prior, including one 3D class such as ceramics or jewelry.

“Students really have to multitask in the class,” said art teacher Ms. Susan Smith. “#ey have due dates for submitting pieces every other Friday and in addition there are other assignments that pertain speci"cally to the AP exam.”

Senior Katherine Chmielewski recognizes the challenges that the class brings, but equates them to what she "gures she will experience in art school.

“#e class has been extremely demanding and di$cult,” said Chmielewski. “I suppose it is preparing me for the work load that I might receive in college.”

Students taking the class are expected to have plenty of experience in art so they have the drive to focus on a speci"c

volume of work. #ese pieces are eventually put together in portfolios, serving as the students’ one shot to show colleges exactly what they are capable of. Senior Monica Niehaus knows the stress of this step very well.

“Usually with applying to college, you just have to have an ACT or SAT score, transcripts, and maybe an additional recommendation letter and essay,” said senior Niehaus. “For art schools, they don’t just want your transcript and test scores, they want a full-blown portfolio and explanations for your pieces.”

Art is highly subjective, with each person generally di!ering in speci"c taste and preference. #is only makes it harder on art school hopefuls, who spend countless hours working on pieces that they can only assume admissions o$cers will like.

“#e portfolio really becomes a part of you,” said Niehaus. “When we all have to submit our pieces for people to judge us to be admitted to their program, it’s probably going to be extremely nerve-racking.”

Painting to PerfectionSenior Katherine

Chmielewski plans to major in interior design

in college. Here is a look into her diverse portfolio, centering on people and

the human body.

“I love capturing a person in a painting. #e contours and contrast that you "nd on the body is unlike any other subject.”

- Katherine Chmielewski

“I love capturing a person in a painting. #e contours and contrast that you "nd on the

body is unlike any other subject.”

- Katherine Chmielewski

Photo used with permission from: Susan Smith

Students Dominique Jones, Kate Anderson, Monica Niehaus, and Katherine Chmielewski are avid art students currently enrolled in AP Studio Art.

Art & Design Page 21

Kaela Brown uses painting to let out her feelings and get her mind o! of her busy life. With each stroke, the stress begins to

rise o! of her like a balloon that is li"ed gracefully out of a child’s hand, up into the sky.

Art is frequently used as a therapy where people can express themselves in ways that they cannot with words. Painting with a Twist and #e Bees Knees are two of the many popular businesses where people can go with their friends to hang out or just for some quality one-on-one time to have fun and relax all at once.

“Sometimes things will be expressed nonverbally. Art is another form of communication,” said art teacher, Ms. Susan Smith.

#e Bees Knees is located in downtown Northville and Painting with a Twist is in

Nicole Di Ponio, Sta! Reporterdowntown Farmington.

“All people of any age need creative outlets. #ey need constructive ways to spend their free time,” said Ms. Smith.

Painting with a Twist is a business in which art teachers help their customers recreate a speci$c scene in a calm, entertaining environment.

“It’s a place where you can express yourself,” said junior Lia Korzeniewski of Painting with a Twist.

Customers can go online to it’s website and choose which class they wish to participate in. Seats $ll quickly, so registering online is an excellent idea. A"er $nishing the painting, the teachers display theirs, while customers can take theirs home and show them o!.

“#ere are paintings all over the walls! It’s really cool,” said sophomore Vayda Suleiman.

Express YourselfWith a name like Painting with a

Twist, of course there has to be a twist. In this case, legal drinkers are allowed to drink wine while painting with their friends.

Each painting has certain guidelines that artists should follow, but the teachers still give customers freedom to add their own touch to the artwork.

#e Bees Knees is also a very popular pottery painting shop due to its location, reputation, and atmosphere. Customers have a wide variety of di!erent items to paint; from a small jewelry box to a large platter. #ese items are known to be great gi"s for people of all ages. #e Bees Knees allows for a more individualized experience.

Art has been known as one of the many therapies for all di!erent age groups. Sometimes it is harder for people

to express what they are feeling verbally, so by drawing a picture or painting, they can show those feelings. While art helps people communicate, it also relaxes them. Both businesses have a family atmosphere where kids will enjoy art too. At Painting with a Twist, certain days are devoted for younger customers so families can spend quality time together.

“#ere’s really not a lot of things that kids can go to like [these shops],” said sophomore Marisa Siwicki.

Brown feels the same way about these businesses.

“Painting at Painting with a Twist is more fun than just painting by yourself … and you get to do it with your friends!” she said.

Brown encourages more students to tryout these places because they are relaxing, and fun at the same time.

Photo and Graphic C

redits: Nicole D

i Ponio

Painting with a Twist displays the wide variety of artwork that can be created at its business in downtown Farmington.

Page 22 News Features

When the college of cardinals met in March to select a new pope, they expressed the wish for church reform. !ey certainly

got it, but perhaps not in the way they expected. Since his inauguration as the 266th leader of Catholicism, Pope Francis has been making headlines with his simple lifestyle and controversial speeches.

Francis is the "rst Jesuit pope, a religious community known for a focus on social justice, intellectualism and reform.

“His predecessors were more careful about what they waid and to whom,” said religion teacher Mrs. Ann Lusch. “He’s more willing to speak spontaneously. He’s still teaching what the Church says, but people hear less judgment coming from him.”

Even before being elevated to the papacy, Jorge Mario Bergoglio was well-known for living simply, taking a bus to work instead of using his personal driver. He is continuing such acts of humility and modesty in his new o#ce. !e Washington Post published photographs of the pope carrying his own luggage - a simple black bag - onto a plane in July. He has given up the papal residence for a simple apartment, and famously got out of his car during World Youth Day celebrations to walk among the people in the rain of Rio de Janeiro.

As well as his lifestyle choices, the pope

has appeared frequently in the media for some of his recent statements. In an August interview with the Catholic magazine America, Francis addressed various topics, including current controversial issues.

“We cannot insist only on issues related to abortion, gay marriage and the use of contraceptive methods,” he said of the church in the interview. “!is is not possible. I have not spoken much about these things, and I was reprimanded for that. But when we speak about these issues, we have to talk about them in a context… It is not necessary to talk about these issues all the time.”

!e ponti$ has made a point to direct attention to the poor, rather than toward these issues. He visited the slums of Rio de Janeiro, creating controversy because of the high crime rates in the area. According to Catholic Online, he also visited Centro Astalli, a Jesuit refugee service in Rome, in September. !ere, he spoke to the refugees, including people who have %ed violence in Sudan and Syria. Francis suggested that empty convents and monasteries in the area be used to house the displaced people.

He also made headlines by saying, “Who am I to judge a gay person?” during a press conference shortly a&er World Youth Day, according to !e Hu"ngton Post. Such statements have turned heads as a possible

Maderno’s Facade, built in the early 1600s, stands in honor of Pope Paul V.

Photo Credit: Eileen Paw

lik

sign of a changing Church. Senior Alise Wenner has high hopes for the new ponti$.

“For a long time, the Church has been thought of as restrictive, a stick-in-the-mud kind of institution,” she said. “I think he’s helping to bring more light to the opportunities the church brings as a center of love and charity and a bene"t to the world as a whole.”

“I think Pope Francis is going to be a huge step forward for the church,” Wenner added. “I think he’ll help the church reconnect with younger generations. I mean, people are taking sel"es with the pope!”

A group of teenagers did take a cell phone “sel"e” with Francis while visiting Rome. !e photograph went viral on the Internet, establishing a reputation for the pope as being in tune with young Catholics. He has also continued to use the Twitter account started by his predecessor, Benedict XVI. !e handle, @Pontifex, has over three million followers and is used to directly address younger generations.

“Dear young people,” the pope tweeted earlier this month, “you have many plans and dreams for the future. But, is Christ at the center of each of your plans and dreams?”

“For years of his papacy, John Paul II was able to get people excited about just being Catholic,” Catholic !eology teacher Mr.

Cassidy Connolly, Copy Editor

Photo Credit: Eileen Paw

lik

Joe Gerardi said. “Benedict did not have that skill set. Francis is more like John Paul in that he is going to give people warmth and inclusiveness; he’s like the grandfather or great-uncle a lot of people would like to have.”

With his lifestyle choices, unusual statements, and focus on the young and the poor, the pope is setting a new standard for Catholics. With such a leader, the church may be in for a gradual revitalization in the years to come.

Pope Sets New Standard

3RSH�)UDQFLV��WKH�ÀUVW�-HVXLW�SRSH��KDV�EHHQ�both welcomed and criticized.

Photo Credit: M

CT

Wire Service

Page 23News Features

Cases of bacterial meningitis have steadily increased on college campuses in recent years. Elon University’s medical director,

James Hawkins, estimates that 120-130 students catch meningitis each year, and 15% die. Dr. Jim Turner, the executive director of the student health department at the University of Virginia, has stated that the rise in meningitis has caused the percent of students receiving the vaccination to increase from 55% to 95%. A student with health insurance will only owe a small copay for this vaccine, but a student without health insurance could be expected to pay $100-150. Twenty percent of college students aged 18-23 do not have health insurance.

!e A"ordable Care Act, known more commonly as Obamacare, went into e"ect in the United States on October 1. A provision of Obamacare is that children can now stay on their parents’ health insurance until they are 26. Before this provision, many insurance companies only allowed children to be covered by their parents’ policies until they were 19. !is new policy li#s the burden of purchasing health insurance from many college students’ shoulders, allowing them to focus on education.

Chemistry teacher Lisa Schrimscher did not have to worry about her children needing health insurance in college. Mrs. Schrimscher and her husband were able to choose a plan that kept their children on their health insurance a#er turning 19.

“It hasn’t been an issue for us, but I’m glad it won’t be an issue for anyone else,” she said.

Opponents of Obamacare question whether or not it is actually bene$cial to students. According to a 2012 survey conducted by !ielen Student Health Center’s Prevention Services Department, 93% of college students polled already have health insurance. A report from the American Action Forum shows that health insurance rates for 2.7 million people aged 18 to 35 would rise dramatically with Obamacare in

Jillian Law, Sta! Reportere"ect, making the new health care system more expensive for younger people. Some students are aware of the a"ect Obamacare will have on their futures.

“I know it will a"ect me as I move on getting my college education and beginning to pay taxes because our generation and future generations will have to work to pay o" the increased debt this program will bring,” said junior Rachel Wagner.

A major problem of the new health care policy is the fact that students are not very informed about it. A recent Kaiser Family Foundation Health Tracking poll revealed around 75% of those aged 18-25 believe it is important for them to personally get insurance, but nearly 80% of them know little to nothing about the insurance market.

Jennifer Mishory, deputy director of Young Invincibles, a national non-pro$t organization whose purpose is to inform young people about health care, emphasizes three other major bene$ts to the new health care policy for college students. Students can enroll in plans without fear of being rejected because of a pre-existing condition. !is bene$ts both students with pre-existing conditions and students whose parents have pre-existing conditions. Students who earn less than $46,000 or families that earn less than $94,000 annually may be able to access free coverage through Medicaid or discounted coverage through monthly tax credits depending on the state and their exact income level. New health care plans will also provide free preventive services, annual checkups, prescriptions and substance use disorder services.

Whether you are an opponent or supporter of Obamacare, it is clear that there are bene$ts for college students in the new health care system.

“Despite my dislike of the program, I believe that being covered by your parents until you have reached a logical age to have completed your education is not one of the program’s faults,” said Wagner.

bamacare Goes to School

MARCHOCTOBER JANUARY

3Open Enrollment

Begins Coverage Begins Open Enrollment Closes

Important Dates

Public coverage

Private coverage

Uninsured

How are children (ages 18 and under) insured?

26

New maximum age covered by parents’ insurance

Previous maximum age covered by parents’ insurance

19

MARCH

Centers for Disease Control (CDC), whitehouse.org

Page 24 Last Look

Mercy is a place known for its welcoming atmosphere and friendly faces. However, there is a more horrifying side to it

that many have not heard of. Do you know the stories of the ghosts that walk Mercy’s halls? Read on to discover Mercy lore that may change your perception of everyday sights at Mercy.

Kate Soave, Senior Sta! Reporter

Horror In the Halls

D i d you know that

S-hall is haunted by a ghost also?

“Sometimes the English hall lights turn o! and on randomly,” said

senior Elizabeth Coughlin. “Ms. Harris said it was because of a lady walking but only certain people can see her.” Senior Dani Abboud veri"es the tale with a story she heard from Mr. Sill. “He was here late one night working

on stage crew and he saw her and he said hello and he kept

walking,” said Abboud.

Sisters of Mercy. “She has red eyes and if you go down there without a teacher she’ll kill

senior Karrah Wanagat. “He was the "rst actor

Another haunted site

that has its own ghostly visitor: the drama hall. “He haunts

the halls of the drama studio,” said senior Karrah Wanagat. “He was the "rst actor

and the "rst ITS troupe called him Saint #espus and they kept a picture of him on the set.

One day it mysteriously disappeared.”Was this perhaps an omen that #espus’s

spirit roams the auditorium and drama hall? Wanagat

confesses she isn’t taking the warning lightly.

“Sometimes I have nightmares about

him,” she said.

Senior Julia

Rettig tells the chilling tale of the

ghost of a nun who haunts the tunnel to the home of the Sisters of Mercy. “She has red eyes and if you

go down there without a teacher she’ll kill you,” warns Rettig. Other girls

agree with the story, known commonly as ‘the tunnel ghost.’ Is this simply another story spun to

keep curious students from traveling

alone in the tunnel?

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