Mount St. Mary
Catholic High School

Vol. 3 / Issue 1

BE YOUR BEST ALWAYS

“Dear young people, let yourselves be taken over by the light of Christ, and spread that light wherever you are.”
​Pope Saint John Paul II

E-Sports,
the mount's latest endeavor
Spencer Crum

     MSM has just now started the esports team. The esports team, led by Coach Jared Smith and Ms. Nancy-Marie Arteaga, is the Mount’s newest club and sport. What is esports?

     Esports, according to Dictionary.com, is a "multiplayer video game played competitively for spectators, typically by professional gamers." Games here include Super Smash Bros, League of Legends, Rocket League, Fifa 21, Smite, Madden 21, and Splatoon 2. 

     Coach Smith explained, “Esports is electronic sports. Competitive gaming. It is just like any other sport, with starters, etc. The only difference is that we play video games. Mr. Gunter saw it come up through OSSAA, and he got interested. 85% of students participate in extracurricular activities. Mr. Gunter saw that number and thought that this was an opportunity for students to grow closer. The reason we started is that we wanted kids to get involved and find a family. A lot of my team members are flourishing.” Coach Smith stated, “Tournaments are on Wednesdays and Thursdays. On Wednesdays, we play Super Smash Bros. On Thursdays, we play Rocket League. Our focus is on the player’s specialties and getting scholarships. Everyone is good at something.”

     Coach Smith continued, “Esports scholarships are offered but rarely taken. Last year, $5 million of esports scholarships went unclaimed. You could get a full ride for playing video games. That is bonkers. The OSSAA started esports to take up those scholarships.” Along with scholarships, colleges also recruit players, like other sports. He continued, “Out-of-state colleges always recruit players. The goal is to get recruited. Our team is one of the pioneer teams to do it, and that will put us on the map for colleges all over the US. Regular sports are intense and focus on physicality. Esports promotes a stress-free environment, focusing on mental capacity. “

     Senior Justin McMullen said, “Our goals for the season are to win everything.” According to Justin, the only difference between eSports practices and regular sports practices is, “our practice is playing games. We go into casual lobbies to practice. We’ll decide who does what, determine who’s better through those casual lobby practices” He continued, “The best part of the program is the fact that we can do whatever.” Since he is graduating this year, Justin mused, “After I leave, I’d like to see where things will go.”

     Esports is already pulling away with wins. So far, the varsity gamers are 3-0 in Super Smash Bros and 2-1 in Rocket League. The JV gamers are 2-1 in Super Smash Bros. Rockets esports is starting strong, hoping to get on the national radar. “There are a lot of eyes on us,” commented Coach Smith. “The goal is a state-of-the-art tech room, with multiple high-end things. We would base our tech room off of colleges to put the athletes in the right environment. As long as we keep winning and get donations, we will be able to get a nice room.”

Looking for a banner
pryce Jeffries

    The Mount's volleyball team is currently looking to compete in another state championship for the fifth straight year under Coach Ward. They have had successful seasons, but falling just short of a state championship. The team aspires to bring home a championship banner to hang in the gym this year.

     Junior Maria Roquemore says she likes "playing volleyball because of the school's environment, along with how the student section comes to support the team." The support from the student section helps the volleyball players compete at a mightier level, giving them the upper edge over teams at the same level. This edge could be just what the team needs to bring home a state championship.

     Junior Jane Ertl says, "getting to play with my friends and trying to win a state championship" are her goals for this year. Teamwork is the core success of a team. When a team works together, it can overcome obstacles that could cause another group to stumble. If this team continues to work and play together, Mount St. Mary's will be hanging a state championship banner in their gym.

     Senior Hadley Moses' goal is "to play my hardest and end my high school career as a state champion."
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     The girls' volleyball team is starting strong. Students, Faculty, parents, and fans are invited to attend the games and support the team. The support given may bring on that Championship Banner.
Picture
Used by permission www.honoreliseart.com Artist: Honor Elise.

football 2021
​joseph krug

          Mount St. Mary high school football expects to have their best season in school history. With the first game of the season only a few days away, Rocket fans and players are exhilarated for that first kickoff. The Mount kicked off its 2021 football season with a win against Capitol Hill in the “Shartel Showdown” at Capitol Hill.
          The Oklahoma High school Sports Media projects The Mount to go 7-3 this year. Although rocket fans are excited about every game this season, there’s one game in particular that stands out, and that’s against school rival Christian Heritage Academy (CHA). Last year, the Mount got their first win against CHA in school history, and this year, it looks like it’s going to be a fantastic rematch. 

         The Mount has had this many offensive and defensive weapons in school history. On offense, The Rockets have Captain Jaxyn Ward (WR)/(DB), Jadyn Ward (RB)/(LB), Salvador Jackson (RB)/(CB), Reed Lindsey (WR)/(DB), Captain Conroe Jackson (WR)/(LB), CJ Johnson (WR)/(DB), Diante Palmer (WR)/(DB), Captain Joe Krug (QB), Hudson Rainwater (RT)/, Chris Hood (LT), Niccolas Bennet (LG), Landon Hughes (C), and Captain Jesse Hamilton (RG)/(C). With weapons like this and led by coach Alexander, who has built this program from the ground up, rocket football looks to be the best it has looked in a long time.

          The fans know what they want, but let’s see what the players had to say. Coming from one of the captains on this team, what should be the primary focus for the football team this season? “Mostly make the playoffs, but also grow and prepare the football program for the upcoming years.” Said Senior/Team Captain Jaxyn Ward. What will be the key for the Rockets’ defense this year? “Overall communication and playing as a unit amongst the players,” said Senior/ Cornerback Salvador Jackson. What are some expectations or goals you and the other offensive linemen have set for yourself this season? “To average over 350 yards of offense each game.” Said Senior/Right Tackle Hudson Rainwater.

          Some of the most Key games for Mount St. Mary are their conference games: Douglass (Homecoming), Mcloud, Perkins-Tryon, Bridge Creek, Kingfisher, Anadarko, and Heritage Hall. The Mount has their first home game on September 10th against Crooked Oak high school. That game will have a personal feel because their head coach is Farold Smith, The Mount’s old strength and conditioning coach.
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          Overall, Mount St. Mary’s football Rocket players and fans are looking forward to a great season. And not only this season, but the upcoming seasons. The Mount St. Mary’s football program will not hope they win football games, but expect to dominate them.

is it buzz-worthy?
Spencer Crum

      According to the Oxford Language Dictionary, Vaping is the “inhalation and exhalation of vapor containing nicotine and flavors.” Vaping is an epidemic that multiple schools are suffering from.  With the suspension of a few students, the gears are turning. Vaping is a pressing matter in our school and education system.
     Puffing strawberry paradise is not a good idea. According to medical professionals, chemicals like nicotine, diacetyl (linked to lung disease), and ultrafine chemicals are in the cartridges. Imagine microplastics in your lungs.
     In 2015, Juul, the nic-slinging giant, launched an ad campaign featuring young models with their cloud sticks. When this sparked controversy and a backlash, Juul denied that marketing the campaign towards young teens. Another famous brand, Happy Stick, has bright packaging and happy flavors (hence the name), which seems to aim at a younger market.  
     Science teacher Mrs. Holly Zacher said that there were “three components to the vaping epidemic. The three components are money, health, and the social part. They’re a cycle. You can’t have one without the other. Addiction is the most prevalent problem. Addiction happens when nicotine makes an artificial replacement to acetylcholine, a naturally occurring chemical in the body. Acetylcholine builds memories and releases dopamine.” Dopamine is the pleasure chemical. It is released when we see something we enjoy or eat delicious food. That’s all—nothing else. When our brain recognizes the dopamine release with vaping, it becomes addicted and craves more dopamine. 
          Mrs. Zacher continued, “studies show that nicotine is the most addictive substance in our culture. More than crack and heroin.” Addiction, along with lung cancer, are, needless to say, unhealthy. 
          Addiction does not come cost-free. To supplement your addiction, you need to pay up. “Once addicted, you have to constantly pay for the nicotine. In the case of cigarettes, you can pay $7 a pack for a week,” commented Mrs. Zacher, “But as you get more and more addicted, you’ll need to pay $14 or $28 a week. Just for smokes. That price tag racks up.” An unhealthy lifestyle can crush you financially and physically.
          Vaping is not just water vapor. The cartridges have flavors (obviously). Flavors are the main incentive for young people to get into and addicted to vaping. Chemicals in the flavoring are linked to bronchiolitis obliterans. Bronchiolitis obliterans is a condition that damages your lungs by closing off small compartments. Along with chemicals, studies on metals show metals like arsenic, (a poison) and lead are higher in people who vape. 
          Coach Blake Gunter grew up around grandparents who smoked. He said that “If they didn’t have their smokes, they were irritable.” Withdrawal is a hard fight to fight. It affects everyone hooked on substances, especially vaping. He said that his grandparents didn’t take any measures to stop smoking. Did he ever try to help his grandparents stop? He tried by “Having hard conversations. Saying ‘You can’t let nicotine control you.’ You can walk with them through the process of quitting. You can’t change unless you’re helping each other.” 
          Since he is a coach, he commented about the importance of healthy lungs. “You can get cancer. First off, why should you want to get cancer? 2nd, you cannot play your best when battling an addiction. It takes up more of your mental fortitude to ignore your craving on the field, and you aren’t able to focus on the game. 3rd, you can’t compete when you have lowered lung capacity.” Athletics require your whole mind and body, and if you corrupt your body with foreign, detrimental substances, you aren’t going to reach the highest level. 

     On a personal note, I want to talk about something extremely important. Access to help. There are more resources than you think. You can quit on your own, but these helpful resources can significantly increase your chances of not relapsing. First, ask yourself, “can I stop?” If you can’t, do not hesitate to reach out to online help websites. Do not hesitate to get help. 
          TSET is a tobacco and nicotine help website. Contact them at (405) 521-3888  You can win over addiction with the right mindset.

Basketball 2021
Joseph Krug

          Mount Saint Mary’s Men’s basketball is looking forward to another great season. Last year, the Rockets made it to state before getting knocked out by Classen SAS in the first round. The Rockets have a lot to look forward to, with players that have only gotten older and better; looking solid and talented for this upcoming season. 

          With the first tip-off on December 3rd against Christian Heritage Academy, all the Rockets are doing now is just counting down their days. Rocket basketball has had this many offensive/defensive weapons in a long time: starting players, Junior Cj Johnson as starting point guard, an absolute force both offensively and defensively, tough to guard and be guarded; shooting guard Tayven Prestige is one of the hardest working high school players; sophomore Braeden Lloyd is an elite finisher and passer with one of the best court visions in high school basketball; junior Diante Palmer is one of the most dominant high school athletes in Oklahoma; senior Robert Kalsu is a substantial defensive and offensive presence, and Mount basketball star Senior Captain Tyler Schafer an elite handle, a defensive presence, and a player that can knock down any shot no matter who is guarding him or how challenging the shot.

        According to senior star player and team captain Tyler Schafer, the goals for the basketball team this season are to “try to win state.” Tyler continues, “We’re going for that gold, man. I think we have a great amount of talent on this team, and we are a force to be reckoned with.” The key this year for Mount basketball to compete for a state title, according to Senior starter Tayeven Prestige is, “Working together, using all of our own special talents in the best way to help us win each game.” 

         With the season far away, fans and players count down the days until tip-off against CHA, a huge rivalry game. 

         The Mount will be a mighty team to play against this year. Led by basketball mastermind Coach Brandon Jackson and his Assistant Coach, Even Alexander, the Rockets’ will be difficult to stop with a staff and a roster like this.

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Baseball is looking good
​Joseph Krug

     Mount St Mary baseball is looking forward to a great upcoming season. All baseball players are eager to start the season after last year’s heartbreaker in the playoffs when The Mount lost in a doubleheader against Elgin that lasted until midnight. The Mount graduated a lot of talent, including Raphael Dunlap, Luke and Ryan Wagner, Tucker Resolute, and Zach Fees. But the Rockets look to have a fantastic turnaround and are expecting to go way farther this year.

         The Mount plans on capitalizing on the mistakes they made last and correcting them. Mount baseball has a great coaching staff that is going to lead them to victory this year. And lastly, the Mount has a lot of young talent that will be a considerable part of their success for the next two to three years. 

         What are the goals for the baseball team this season? Sophomore first baseman/team captain Ben Gracie screams, “Win State!!”. Coach and Baseball guru Tyler Schilly said that “The key is going to be approaching practice with game intensity and focusing on doing the little things right.” As far as expectations for the upcoming baseball season, Sophmore Dylan Achord exclaimed “Win state and improve the chemistry of the team.”

       The schedule for this season has not yet been released. Still, the players seem not only very excited but very confident on their team this season. This season’s players to watch for are Ben Gracey, Jadyn Ward, Jesse Brooks, and Robert Kalsu. With weapons like these, the Rockets look unbeatable.

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