Mount St. Mary
Catholic High School

Vol. 2 / Issue 2

BE YOUR BEST ALWAYS

“Let us remember the past with gratitude, live the present with enthusiasm, and look forward to the future with confidence.”
Pope Saint John Paul II

Rocket Volleyball 2020
Eva Winkler

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The Volleyball Team and the trophy.

​     This year the Rocket volleyball team competed in the state tournament. The team played in the 5A state championship game against Victory Christian. It was a hard-fought battle, but ultimately they fell short in three sets. 

     Even though it was not the outcome they hoped for, it was a successful one nonetheless. The volleyball team went 38-7 on the season, one of the best-ever records winning both the conference and the conference tournament. This year was the Rockets’ eighth consecutive year appearing in the state tournament and their 4th time in the championship game since 2016. Individual achievements included Juniors Hadley Moses and Shelby O’Steen selected for All-State; Alternate All-State was Senior Emilie Fidelie. 
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     Seniors Emilie Fidelie and Sarah Martin remarked about the development the team saw this year. “At the beginning of the season, no one thought we were going to be in the state finals. We had to put in the effort and work hard,” Emilie said. The Rockets started off the season ranked in the bottom half of the conference. As the season progressed, (we) moved up the rankings and were ranked first for most of the season. 
     The team worked hard and kept the goal of making state in the front of their mind. Every time they stepped onto the court, they put in the work to achieve what they wanted. Sarah said, “We were very goal-oriented this year. We had the mindset that we were going to get to state no matter what. And we worked all year to achieve that goal.” 

     After losing a handful of seniors last year, Emilie said, “It was a rebuilding year for us mentally. After last year everyone’s morale was down. So we had to stay focused and not let things get in the way of our team bond.” The coaches helped keep everyone’s minds on track and always reminded them of their potential. 

     The team was no doubt disappointed with losing the championship game. However, the season was full of successes. Emilie and Sarah said that this was one of their favorite seasons. They grew on and off the court. “Even though we lost, no one thought we would make it this far, and it was amazing to prove that we were capable. And there is no other team I would have wanted to do it with.”
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     The Rockets are currently doing off-season conditioning and will be back in the gym over the summer to start preparing for next season. They are going into next season with the same mindset: "Win the championship." 

Editorial: COVID LIFE
James Wildes III


     ​COVID-19 struck the United States in late January 2019. There were no masks, no social distancing. Quarantine started immediately after an NBA basketball game was canceled. I was at that game on March 11. I still have my ticket. That night and the days after, I had no idea how big COVID-19 would be and had no idea how it would change our social normalities and our very way of life.

     Once the pandemic started, and we were all quarantined, I was anxious. Ending my junior year wasn't hard. I wasn't worried about that. I was more concerned about my senior year. How would COVID-19 affect my senior year? Football? My eagle project? All this was running through my head as I finished my Junior year. The first month of quarantine was strange, but I got used to it pretty fast. Although we could have acted sooner, the precautions were taken at the right time.

     As summer went on, things started to open up again. I could go out with friends and even practice football and strength training with my team! All signs pointed to a senior year and a final senior football season for me. I was happy but also cautious. I knew that I needed to take care of myself and keep my teammates accountable for themselves. If one person gets sick, maybe even contracts COVID-19, the whole season could go away. I trusted my teammates to take care of themselves.
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     The school year came, and while it was a little different, it was mostly the same. Work was done on Chromebooks like before, but we had to wear masks, and we had to clean desks before and after classes. There was also a constant smell of hand sanitizer, but it faded away within the first month. Lunches have been strange sitting four to a table, and when not eating, masks go up.

     The toughest was when there was a small outbreak of COVID-19. A few were on the football team, so everyone quarantined automatically for two weeks, but the administration made a safe decision and decided to quarantine the whole school. 

     Through this whole experience, I have learned a lot. I have taken more time for myself to do little check-ins. I even made an audio log talking about what I am going through and all my thoughts. Through practice and all of our conditioning we had to do, I learned to have fun with it because you never know what could happen. Through the help of my theology class and going back to church, I see the goodness that God gives to us, even in a time when people might not think He is even there.

     Although many people might throw this year out and say it is the worst, I try to look at it positively. I believe our situation couldn't be better in our circumstances. Our Government, leaders, and school are doing as much as they can to keep us safe and do the best they can with the conditions. This whole virus has given us all a chance to look into ourselves and pull out the positives. We can choose to do this or not.

     I try every day to overcome doubts and suspicions and live for the day at hand. 

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Used by permission www.honoreliseart.com Artist: Honor Elise.

Philosophy Club ​
Kedon Gumerson AND LANDON KENNEDY RIGGS

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“I think therefore I am.” - Philosopher Rene Descartes.
   
        The Philosophy Club is an opportunity for students to gain a deeper understanding of the world. As Philosophy Club member Nick Callegan said, “The discussions are fascinating, and there’s always something new on the table. It allows students to think about things more deeply.” 

        “Each meeting, there’s a certain topic that we pick, and everyone can contribute if they want to. (The members) can elaborate on what they think about that topic.” explained Thomas Leon, Philosophy Club member. The club meets weekly after school to have very beneficial discussions. 

       Philosophy Club is excited to kick off this new year and answer some of life’s most intriguing questions. 

Point of view:
​Life with no power
eva winkler

     On Tuesday morning, I woke up to a massive tree branch falling outside my window. I went downstairs and made myself a cup of coffee. As I walked back upstairs, I heard a loud buzzing sound and saw sparks coming from the alley behind my house. A few seconds later, there was a loud pop, and a flash of green lit up the sky. The lights flickered and then went out.

​     Our transformer had exploded. 

     The rest of Tuesday, my family and I sat inside by the fire and played board games as tree branches continued to fall. We all spent the night at our house on Tuesday. However, Wednesday morning, I went to stay with my friend, and my brother and sister stayed with my grandparents. I spent the night with her on Wednesday and then with another friend Thursday. On Friday, my brother, sister, and I all returned home.

     There was still no power. 

     Saturday, Halloween, we began to clean up the branches that had fallen. Our street looked like a war zone. People from the neighborhood came together and helped. Around 2 pm, the power came back on. We were all so happy. That night my brother and sister got to go trick-or-treating while my dad and I watched the OU football game. 

      Our yard is still not completely clean, and there are still people in my area that don’t have any power. I am incredibly thankful for my friends that let me stay with them. I am also grateful for the community that I live in. The ice storm allowed me to meet new neighbors and see everyone come together. 
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Quarantine Activities
Ryan Wagner and Tucker Resolute

     The Mount St. Mary webcast journalism class surveyed the school about their quarantine activities. There were a wide variety of unique answers. Have you studied Greek mythology or played video games? Some have. 

     The most common thing enjoyed during quarantine was sleeping. Playing video games came in at a close second. Other answers included reading, catching up with friends, and working out. Wearing comfy clothes and snuggling with the dogs made its way to the responses along with reading and, well, eating.

     Of course, some were unique — studying Greek mythology, cooking, flying drones, and playing the guitar. Hopefully not at the same time.

     The responses gave quite an insight into the unique people here at mount.

      Surprisingly, NETFLIX did not make it to the top ten or even top twenty activities done.

      And then there was that one response: "Nothing. Absolutely nothing."
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A breakdown of responders - 42.5% of the students were freshmen, 16.1% were sophomores, 25.3% were juniors, and 16.1% were seniors.

     Email a comment and tell us: What would you like the next survey question to be? 
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spanish club
Eva Winkler

     Spanish Club meetings typically consist of discussions about upcoming events in the club. The members also talk about Spanish culture learning about the culture of Spanish countries, learning about different celebrations, why they are done, and what the celebrations contain. 

     The Spanish Club also does outreach projects for the community. Last year the members went to Rosary and made paper flowers with the students. At last week's meeting, they made posters for Spanish Heritage month and planned to hang them around the school. There are many outreach opportunities with the Spanish Club. 

     "The best part about Spanish Club is getting to interact with other students," said Shelby O'Steen, "Getting to see people I usually don't get to see." When asked about what one could gain from joining Spanish Club, she said, "The (students) can learn about the Spanish culture and grow in the Spanish culture."

     Caroline Gallavan said she likes Spanish Club because "it's an enjoyable and relaxed environment. We get to learn a bit more extensively about Spanish culture and their history and heritage." 

     Meetings on Thursdays at 7:30.  Everyone is welcome. ​

Editorial - COVID
Kedon Gumerson

        We tend to think of COVID-19  as something that only affects the elderly/medically vulnerable. And while, for the most part, those are the ones being physically affected by this virus, young people have been affected as well, just in other ways.

     I have reacted to this virus and lockdown in the same way other young people have, in disbelief of what is going on. School at MSM has at times been virtual, events canceled, and practically our entire lives took place in our homes for several months. COVID-19 has affected everyone.

     However, what has happened as a result of the virus has emotionally hurt people also. We do not know what the future will hold. What we do know is that, for us young people, this may be the craziest time that we ever end up experiencing in our entire lives.

     It all happened so quickly back in March; it felt like something out of a movie. And for a generation that has grown up in one of the most peaceful times in world history (still not entirely but more so than other periods), it truly is a shock to undergo this experience. 

     But now is the time for Mount St. Mary to come together and help one another, whether physically or emotionally. 
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     Because at the end of the day, our spiritual health is what will always be most important.

Thankful
Kedon Gummerson and Landon Kennedy Riggs

     Thanksgiving is around the corner! We emailed a survey to see what people are thankful for, and the number one answer was family. 79% of the responses were "Family."

​      The number two response was, as expected, food. Family and food, two of the things that thanksgiving is all about.
While the holiday may look slightly different this year with the pandemic, The Mount community is still celebrating and doing so vigorously.
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       “I think the students like having time off to see their families. Thanksgiving is important because you get to spend time with people around you.” - NHS Officer Eva Winkler. 

     Other responses included God, church, music and friends. On an interesting note, one of the more popular responses was Jeans Days. Be sure to thank Mrs. DeNegri about that.

​     And wear your school appropriate jeans when you do.

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