Mount St. Mary
Catholic High School

Vol. 3 / Issue 2

BE YOUR BEST ALWAYS

“The future is in your hearts and in your hands. God is entrusting to you the task, at once difficult and uplifting, of working with Him in the building of the civilization of love.”
​​Pope Saint John Paul II

Debating and arguing
CJ Johnson

      In today's world, everybody argues. But arguing is different from debating. The difference between arguing and debating is that arguments are verbal disagreements over something. Another definition is "a reason or set of reasons given with the aim of persuading others that an action or idea is right or wrong." (Oxford Languages) 

     Debating is a discussion, as of a public question in an assembly, involving opposing viewpoints. "to argue about (a subject), especially in a formal manner." (Oxford Languages)

     Emma Lane said, "I enjoy the class and the teacher." She continued, "We learn about how to use a script. We are unfamiliar with and do our best job to be the best in our category." Emma joined to strengthen her speaking skills and her confidence. She says the debates have specific time limits for each event and particular topics.

     "Arguing and debating are different. Arguing is when two people are just talking. Debating is when two people are talking about one topic," Mrs. Linda Soudek, debate teacher and coach, said. "In debate, you normally have a certain order of speeches and certain time limits. An argument is just two people having a conversation. They just disagree about something." 

     "There are three main debates when going to tournaments and competitions" Mrs.Soudek explains, "The first one is public form, the second one is Cross-Examination, and then Lincoln-Douglas debate."

     "The class is about how to use a script and the rules when they go to tournaments or competitions," Mrs.Soudek said. "Debate class has mainly been about basic debate and argumentation theory. Now they are learning how to write cases and how to research the topic."

E-sports
the mount's latest endeavor
Spencer Crum

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

     E-sports, 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, “E-sports 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, “E-sports 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 e-sports 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. E-sports 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 E-sports 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.”

     E-sports 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.”

lady rockets state champs
​Landon riggs and CJ Johnson

     It was an intense State Tournament for the Lady Rockets Volleyball team with an even better outcome. The team was already breaking records before entering the state tournament, going 39-6. Potentially, they could win their third state title in nine years!

     The volleyball team came into the season as the front-runners, and it showed every game. The team knew that if they played to their potential, they would get the title and the ring. Even with such high expectations, they embraced it, and gave everything they had. 
​
     On Tuesday, October 19th, the Rockets prepared for the final conflict. The  team won the first set 25-11 against Carl Albert. While they lost the second set 25-21, they bounced back with a resounding victory of the third set 25-13. The fourth and crucial set was a nail biter, but the Lady Rockets won 25-22.

     Junior, and leader, Maria Roquemore said “It (the championship) is sorta unreal because it’s very hard to believe that we're actually state champs. The second we won, we just took it all in, but it feels pretty good to be one!” 

     The Lady Rockets weren’t the only people that were excited to be there, the student section was exciting the whole tournament. The students were there to support the Lady Rockets every step of the way and eventually followed them to a state title. It seemed like half the school was there to support the team. It was packed and it was loud, like any good student section should be. Junior football and basketball star Jaxson Daniels said, “We just wanted the energy to be high and have the whole student section up and loud”
​
     Everyone will remember the final point because it was such a big win for the Lady Rockets and Coach James Ward. Trevor Schaefer commented, “It was pretty awesome, and was really fun. When we scored the final point, it was just a moment I’ll never forget.” 

Ready. Ready. Set. Go.​
​joseph krug

Editor's note: This is an editorial written by the MSM Rockets Quarterback, Joe Krug.

     The Rocket football men are standing in the huddle. I look over to the sideline to get the signal from Coach Celestine, the wide receiver coach. He touches both of his ears then his hip. The number he signaled play 29 on my play call wristband. I read it out to the team “50 Trojan Horse, on one, on one ready, break”. We step up to the line of scrimmage. I tap my left hip, which tells either Salvador Jackson or Jadyn Ward to block to the left for me. I give the cadence “Ready. Ready. Set. Go.” the ball is snapped, I look to the left, pump fake the screen pass. The corner will jump the pass on the pump fake and cover the outside guy. I throw it out for our slot receiver, either Jaxyn Ward or Evan Hamilton, for the deep ball. 

     This is one of many combinations of plays that I will have to make during our Friday nights. Hello, if you don’t know me, I am Joe Krug, the starting quarterback here at Mount St. Mary. Ever since I could remember, I wanted to play quarterback for Mount St. Mary. I remember back when I was younger, like grades first through sixth grade, I would always ask for a picture with and an autograph of whoever was the Mount Quarterback. I specifically remember when the old Mount quarterback John Tener came to my house with my older brother. I remember just asking him countless questions and probably embarrassing my brother. I was always in love with how they took control of the game. They are the first to touch the ball. They are the first player people praise when they win. They are also the first player people blame when they lose. And I just love that adversity. 

     One of my favorite parts of playing quarterback was learning how to play at the high school level. My quarterback coach and MSM offensive coordinator, Coach Line, and our head coach, Coach Alexander, got me in the right direction as far as mechanics go. We are out on the field every day to try and perfect my throw mechanically. Both of my coaches are perfecting my throw. Still, the most significant help I really have received has been Mount St. Mary’s old quarterback, Luke Wagner. 

     Last year was a huge learning year for me, and it was Luke that taught me. He helped me with reading and acting in situations both on and off the field. He helped me with leading the team, the importance of maintaining good study habits and keeping your grades up in the class. We would go to parks, or any field, to go throw routes. We would go to the gym and lift. He would help with mechanics and how to throw. Basically, he became an important role model in my life. I honestly would not be where I am today without those three, Coach Line, Coach Alexander and Luke Wagner. Each played a significant role in making me the quarterback I am today.

     According to Luke, the most challenging part of playing the quarterback position is “Being the guy who motivates people, but also being able to stay calm, cool, and collective.” He continued, “My favorite part is being able to be a leader and touching the ball every play.” 
         
     With all this being said, playing quarterback is so much more than just making a read and throwing a good ball to your receiver. You have to act as the leader on the field. When the offense is out there, you need to take control and get down the field. By playing quarterback, you are the closest thing to a coach that is on the football field.
     You don’t only need to know your position. You also need to know everyone else’s position. If someone on the field forgot where to line up or go in the formation, you would be the person they come up to and ask. Not only do you need to know precisely what steps to take or who to read on every play, you need to know other positions such as wide receiver, running back, H back, etc. When you’re playing quarterback, you have to realize that you are the closest to a coach the team has on the field. 

     Lastly, to be a quarterback, you have to always keep your head up no matter what. Through wins and losses, you have to be that teammate that your teammates can lean on. You never ever blame another teammate, coach, or ref. Really the only person you blame is yourself. You never blame another person. You let them know what they did wrong and how they can fix it.

     Overall, being a quarterback isn’t always sunshine and rainbows. You have to do “the dirty work” to be successful. 
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Rocket Soccer 2021
Spencer Crum

     Rocket Soccer had an explosive season last spring. Finishing off the season 17-2, the state winners had a historic season. Senior Caden Carney remarked, “I didn’t believe it. Coach Boda said we were going to win state, but nobody believed him.” The school pulled away a win against Crooked Oak on May 14, 2021, winning 1-0. Junior Pryce Jeffries said, “I knew we had the talent to take it all the way and win a state championship.” This win was the first time since 2012. 

     “We were more coordinated, had a better work ethic, and worked together as a team,” observed Caden. Crooked Oak had beaten Mount St. Mary’s the last eight times they played each other.  

     Coach Francois Boda stated, “We had a good mix of seniors and underclassmen. It was the same team as (the year before). With Covid, we were denied back to back.” Some graduating seniors last year were, as Coach Boda said, “put into the hall of fame, including John Cervantes, Miguel Hernandez, Eric Jacquez, and Abraham Garcia.” Coach Boda asserted, “We have potential. We are not as bold as last year. We have a new team. But the goal is to win. It’s about winning.” He continued, “We need to create good, unselfish chemistry. We had plenty of sacrifices last year. Different players, playing different positions. It promotes teamwork because that position is not necessarily yours. We need to give up the strategy and tactics that we had last year. With these new players, the way we play needs to adjust.”

​     Rocket soccer has a healthy future in front of them. The Rocket team has a promising new roster and another chance to win state. Coached by Coach Boda and hard-working players, there is another chance to win state. 

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Advice:
Music is life
Ty Doan

     Learning how to play a musical instrument will help you manage yourself and leave stress behind. It could also help you find a career path for you in the future. 

      According to the Liverpool Academy of Music, there are “links between playing an instrument, and lower blood pressure, lower stress levels, decreased heart rate.” Even a reduction in anxiety and depression. Picking up an instrument will help with imagination and help with the bigger picture. 

     Music can help your brain be more active and help you get a new hobby in your life. It “helps keep the mind sharp, particularly when it comes to memory capacity and the ability to problem-solve,” pointed out the website.

    “Music has a personal connection, and playing the right instrument will get you to love it even more. Play based on what you like, not what other people want you to play,” said Nikka Asuncion, violin and cymbals for MSM Band.

     Musical instruments can help you connect with multiple people and find people with the same interest as you. “Music can transcend borders for multiple languages to understand music. It can transcend that language and cultural barrier for people to enjoy,” said Mr. Benda, band class and music class teacher. “Being able to connect with people with instruments and music is always a good thing and can bring a community together to enjoy music, just like the Mount does.”

     If you need help finding an instrument to fit you, search for different musical instruments and what they can do. There are also YouTube videos to help you find what kind of instruments would suit you the most. Trying them can be a challenge in itself because it takes time, money, and effort. Make sure you find the right musical instrument for you. 

     “It’s easy to play any musical instrument: all you have to do is touch the right keys at the right time, and the instrument will play itself,” said Johnann Sebastian Bach. Playing music can be easy if you focus on playing the instrument. Remember, what you need is passion. The instruments will play themselves. 

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