Valentine’s Eleven
by Skyler Joseph
Valentine’s Day was this
past Tuesday, Feb. 14th, and to
quote sophomore Michael Burgess,
“It was amazing!”
Junior Michael Greenan
said, “It was chill because we got to
free dress.”
“Everyone looked pretty in
pink!” said Ellie McCabe. “I liked
how Jesus wore a pink shirt and
called it salmon.” Jacob
Schornagel refutes this, saying
“Salmon is a fish, not a color.”
Regardless, many students
wanted to share their own
Valentine’s stories with The Sword.
Jude Woodhead gushed, “Me and Nina went to downtown Fredericksburg and walked
around, and then we got rained out. It felt like The Notebook. We started singing ‘Rain down, rain
down, rain down your love on your people.’ Then we got doughnuts.”
Matt Malanga, who sold candygrams with Jacob Taraschke, said, “It went well. Candygrams
were a great success thanks to the hard work of the SGA. There was a birthday party during lunch.
Happy birthday, Arissa [Joseph]; must be hard having your birthday on Valentine’s Day.”
Emily Pickerel also shared her birthday wishes, saying, “The only good thing about
Valentine’s Day is that it was Arissa’s birthday.”
“It felt like teacher’s appreciation day,” said junior Genevieve O’Connor about the gifts
given to the teachers on Valentine’s Day,
Many teachers enjoyed the day. Mrs. Mills said, “It was great! I got stuff from the PTO. It
was a wonderful day.” Mr. Dragan said, “It was awesome. I felt so loved by the teachers, the PTO,
the students, and my wife.”
“It was so nice,” said Miss Pitts.
Some students are still celebrating the holiday! Junior Phil Fickes gushed, “Me and Emily
are going to see LaLaLand tonight!” Good for you, Phil, and happy Valentine’s Day to St. Mikes.
Valentine’s
With the
Macbeths
by Exie Land
Some English
teachers in our school
celebrated this
Valentine’s Day through
exciting ventures in
literature! The holiday is
celebrated in many ways
with many different
words. Some teachers
celebrate with the
traditional means, such as
poems dedicated to love
or letters with enduring
sentiments.
Some, like Miss Pitts,
celebrate a bit differently.
“We are reading
Macbeth. It's tied to the
theme of love in that
Macbeth and Lady
Macbeth love power....
they love slaughtering
innocent people to gain
power.... and then they go
mad... Happy Valentine's
Day!” she said.
A Poe-fect Day
by Exie Land
The junior class was stranded on Interstate 95 last Wednesday, February 8th in honor of Edgar Allen Poe. On the way back
from a field trip to the Poe Museum in Richmond, the school’s van broke down. The engine is suspected of overheating, but the true
cause remains a gruesome mystery. Orang-utans in the chimney have not been ruled out.
The field trip was an exciting adventure starting with the tour of the museum followed by other activities that had students
getting involved.
“We saw many of [Poe’s] personal belongings, such as some articles of clothing, the walking stick and trunk he left behind in
Richmond before his death, his childhood bedroom furniture, etc. Additionally, the students enjoyed an excellent dramatic reading of
"The Tell-Tale Heart" and participated in a subsequent mock trial,” Mrs. Maliszewski said.
So is the van truly dead? Or is it … alive once more, RIGHT THERE BENEATH THE FLOORBOARDS?
Six More Seniors Grab the Brass Ring!
by Matt Malanga
More seniors have been accepted to college since our last update! All year, seniors have been hard at work diligently applying
to various universities.
Two of our seniors, Christella Niyungeko and Arianna Agramonte, were both accepted to the Indiana University of
Pennsylvania! According to Christella, “It is my top choice. I’m very excited because IUP has a lot to offer. It’s in the mountains,
outside of Virginia, and the view is spectacular!”
Furthermore, senior Zack Buttenshaw received a Congressional nomination to the Merchant Marine Academy. “That was half
of the process. I am still waiting on an acceptance, but if I get accepted I am now sponsored because of this Congressional
nomination,” Zack said.
Another senior, Emily Pickerel, in addition to her acceptance from Coastal Carolina University, was accepted to Jacksonville
University on a $60,000 scholarship!
Our spectacular SGA President Jacob Taraschke was accepted to Radford University. While it is not his top choice, he said
that it, “still feels good to get in.” Jacob still awaits a response from his top choice, Virginia Tech.
Additionally, our valedictorian at this point, Emily Firewicz, has been wait-listed for Harvard University! While this is not an
official acceptance, it is still a huge deal!
Congratulations to all the seniors that have already been accepted! If you are still awaiting a response from your university, we
wish you good luck!
A2: School News
Feb. 17, 2017
Emily Says Be Thankful for What You Have
by Jacob Stevens
Senior Emily Pickerel wants you to know some things.
“My advice to the underclassmen would be to never mistreat your teachers, they are wise beyond
your years and they are the foundation to our success in our future”.
“My thoughts on the last four years is that many unpredictable things can happen any time any
day, and the best thing to do is to just try to overcome the struggles that have been thrown.”
“If I could change anything, it would have been the way I have treated people in the past. Some of it
out of anger/impatience and some of it just pointless.
“Saint Michaels has molded me to be the person I am, because this school has taught me to take
nothing for granted, to be thankful for what I have. You don't always get what you want, but you have to
work hard for it and prove your worth no matter what.”
Emily plans to pursue a major in marine biology.
“Sharks specifically,” she said, “to have the opportunity to travel the oceans and dive with
sharks.”
Emily is all over the school helping out with everything she can! She is secretary of the student
government this year and has played volleyball, cheer and soccer for all four years.
“My proudest accomplishments in my high school career are getting most valuable defensive
player for soccer in 2015 and getting soccer MVP in 2016. Also getting accepted to colleges (Coastal Carolina University and
Jacksonville University) where I can make my dreams actually come true.”
Mrs. Mills Keeps Things Exciting
by Reagan Hill
This week’s teacher in the spotlight is the wonderful Mrs. Mills! She’s been teaching for
about seven years now, and it’s her second year teaching at Saint Mike’s. Unfortunately for us, it’s
her last year here, because she’s moving to Delaware in June.
Mrs. Mills began working here as a math teacher in February of last year.
“I had answered an ad in the fall, but I was a late applicant since I just moved here from
North Carolina. I got busy settling in and forgot all about it, until I was called in for an interview in
the spring,” said Mrs. Mills.
Mrs. Mills has ‘tons of great memories’ from working at Saint Michael High School.
“I don’t have a specific favorite memory, there ae so many! I just love the school, its small
class sizes, its positive communities, and the Catholic ‘culture of life’ philosophy.” said Mrs. Mills,
excitedly.
For her last semester at Saint Michael’s, Mrs. Mills has tons of fun plans.
“For this semester, I’m doing an experiment with ‘nearly no homework’ in a couple of my
classes, to see how well material is retained, with the option of adding more as needed,” she said.
“I also have the Stock Market Simulation going, and I am getting prizes together for the winners.
Oh, and I’m also preparing some great chemistry labs!”
“Enjoy this time, it’ll pass too fast,” she says to our readers. “Do your homework, go to class, join a club/play a sport, make
some new friends, and do the right thing, [because] that’s what counts in the end.”
Snakehead Invasion
by Jacob Schornagel
Russia Endures First-Period World War
A furious invasion of France and Russia was contained, but
The Northern not yet turned back, in a game of Axis and Allies 1914 held in Miss
Snakehead, AKA
Pitts’ Western Civ 2 class. Using simple rules and miniature armies,
Frankenfish, has been the Allies lost half of Russia to the Central Powers before rolling
plaguing rivers and
them back near the end of the
lakes in Virginia and period.
World Leaders in The
Maryland. The State of
Mr. Johnson guest-hosted
Virginia urges all
the game.
Great War of 2017
fishermen who catch
On the first turn, Turkey
GREAT BRITAIN:
these fish to promptly blitzed into Russia from two sides
Austin Hulbert
kill them and report the and overran Bulgaria. But when
FRANCE:
catch to State officials. they got into Romania, the
Alan Qiu
Snakeheads breed fast and are known for their vicious
Russians and Austrians combined
RUSSIA:
behavior. They got their name from the snakelike scales on their to resist the Turk. Nothing
Gabe Stoll
heads. They have long, slender bodies, and dangerously sharp
daunted, the Ottomans invaded
vs.
teeth.
Southern Russia and were
GERMANY:
Fishing for snakeheads is supposedly pretty easy, as the pressing the Ukraine when,
Anna Geracoulis
fish like shallow water and will attack almost anything that
unexpectedly, the British armies
AUSTRIA-HUNGARY:
moves. These dangerous fish are destroying the natural
from India and Egypt fell upon
Holly Sage
ecosystems they invade, outcompeting native species.
Turkey from the East!
OTTOMAN TURKS:
The Northern Snakehead originated in Asia, but has
“That was my fault,” said
Troy Wenk
become invasive to the United States. These apex predators can Mr. Johnson. “I didn’t tell Turkey
grow up to about three feet, but there have been a few specimens there were British troops in India.
found that have measured up to 4 feet, 11 inches!
The ones in Egypt, though, he
One thing that makes this fish interesting is that their gills should have been more careful
can act as primitive lungs, allowing them to survive up to three about.”
days on land. This allows them to crawl to different bodies of
France won air superiority over the Western Front and
water, making it even harder to fight their invasion.
blasted away the Germans with a huge mass of cannons. But
Even if we lose the war, there is still hope, as snakeheads Germany has legions of men still to enter the fray, and now Italy has
are said to be good to eat.
declared war on the Germans!
A3: Sports and Fun
Feb. 17, 2017
Basketball Teams Wrap Up the Year
by Ker Chen
Congratulations to our basketball players. On Monday, February 13, 2017, the boys finished their next-to-last basketball game,
which means they will not practice any more this year, unless they win next Tuesday. If they do, they go to another game, and keep
going until they lose or win the championship.
During the season, they spent a lot of time on practice. Every training session, sweat become a symbol of their efforts. Although
they did not always get good scores, they always did their best and enjoyed the process. That will be great.
At the same time, Monday’s game was the girls’ team’s last home game. They have one more away game after that. We hope we
can get good scores on the last game and finish on a win.
Last Home Cheerleading Game Opens With Sudden Overtime!
by Christella Niyungeko
On Monday, February 13, the Lady Warriors played their last home basketball game of the season against Christ Church. The
game began a little earlier than expected, at 3 p.m., and not many cheerleaders were informed. Towards the end of 4th block, the
cheerleaders changed into their uniforms. For a few of them, it would be their last time in the uniforms.
“It was our last game of cheer and our last game as seniors and I’m very glad that we could cheer on our Lady Warriors”,
proclaimed cheer captain, Emily Firewicz.
To kick off the first quarter, the cheerleaders in unison cheered “Jump Ball”. Because this was the last game, all the girls were
expected to be energetic and give their all.
“The cheerleaders were very enthusiastic. When I’m sitting on the bench I love listening to their enthusiastic cheers,” said
basketball player Kathleen Rivera. Throughout the season, the cheerleaders constantly pushed themselves off and on court and this
showed during sidelines and halftime.
“I was excited for it, when we made that rebound we pulled ahead in the game,” said cheerleader Holly Sage. “I was excited
and had hope for the team; although we didn’t win, we still played very well and the game was exciting to watch. There was a lot of
spirit from cheer.”
Overall the cheerleaders created beautiful memories together this year and really supported the teams.
NBA Update
by Daniel Smith
The National Basketball Association is more than halfway through its season, and the Golden State Warriors are leading the
standings with 49 wins and only 9 losses. While they probably won't outdo their record-setting 2015-2016 season of 73 wins and 9
losses, the Warriors are still the early favorites to win it all, especially with Kevin Durant joining the team.
Russell Westbrook of the Oklahoma City Thunder is averaging a triple-double every game, which is when a single player gets
10 or more points, rebounds, assists, etc., in three different categories of statistics. Westbrook and James Harden of the Houston
Rockets are the two front-runners for MVP.
The Cleveland Cavaliers are leading the Eastern Conference with a record of 39 wins and 16 losses.
Crepe Diem
by Skyler Joseph
Chandeleur is a French celebration held on February 2nd to commemorate the presentation of
the baby Jesus. It was adopted by the Catholic Church and called Candle Mass because it celebrates
the end of winter and beginning of spring when warmth is coming back into the world, according to
French teacher Mrs. Geracoulis.
“The crepes kind of symbolize the sun because they are round and golden,” Mrs. G.
explained. In France, Chandeleur is celebrated with families getting together and cooking crepes. At
St. Michael’s, French students tried to celebrate
the same way.
Jacob Schornagel told The Sword, “I
made a monster crepe that me and Pablo gave a
name to. We filled it with fruit, whipped cream,
chocolate syrup, and caramel syrup. Sadly, it
was too big to flip, although we tried.”
Some students preferred savory over
sweet, like junior Jude Woodhead. “I made
Mexican crepes with ground beef, rice, and cheese and dipped them in sour cream
and salsa with Charlie [Virag] and Devon Buttenshaw,” said Jude.
“There were a lot of crepes,” said Mrs. G., “I bought 25 pounds of flour
and there’s still some left in the kitchen.”
Mrs. Geracoulis has celebrated Candle Mass every year with her French classes, and her students only had good things to say.
“I think it was a perfect experience to see how the French culture celebrates their day of Chandeleur,” said senior Arianna
Agramonte. “It was so interesting and educational,” said junior Kevin Karkewicz. “The crepes were really good. I gave a baby one
to Jude,” said junior Andrew Geracoulis.
Improv Club to Meet Whenever
by Devon Buttenshaw
As the theater program at Saint Michael’s grows, there are more and more things we’re starting to do. It started out with the
seasonal plays happening in the spring and in the fall. Next the Saint Michael’s theater department will be starting an improv club.
Improv is a form of acting where you have no script, as featured in programs like “Whose Line Is It Anyway?”. Everything is
improvised, hence the name.
It will be led by Mrs. Durrett and Mr. Flemming. The club will be open everyone in the school no matter what their previous
knowledge or experience in theater. While there is nothing permanent now, the plan is to have the club meet at lunch on B class days.
A4: The Star Wars Page
Feb. 17, 2017
Would Windows Work Wonders?
by Kevin Karkiewicz
Although we have a pool and a horse riding program, St. Michael’s doesn’t have one of the luxuries of most schools: windows.
None of the 11 classrooms has a window.
While this does protect from invasive lights from outside, it also means students aren’t exposed to the sun, which produces
vitamin D in the skin. Students at Saint Mike’s don’t get to see the outside unless it’s when they are being dropped off at school or
being picked up.
“Windows would give St. Mike’s the natural light that it so desperately needs,” said junior Jude Woodhead. Senior Skyler
Joseph agrees.
According to bristolite.com, in 1999, the Heschong Mahone Group – a consultancy in the energy efficiency industry – carried
out a study which revealed an interesting fact about environment and education: children score better on tests in naturally lit
classrooms.
The difference between tests taken in an artificially lit environment and those in a naturally lit environment was by no means
small. In fact, the study revealed that a 25 percent improvement in test scores occurred in naturally lit environments.
Experts believe that the increase in test scores can be attributed to a number of key benefits of natural light, ranging from
improvements in mood and mental alertness to improved vision.
The science department has long advocated windows, especially as a means to vent the smoke and gases produced by some
chemical experiments. The alternative, holding labs outdoors, has worked for years, but is sometimes awkward to schedule, as
sometimes rain or cold precludes going outside.
Grammys Recap
by Spencer Buttenshaw
The Grammy Awards were held last Sunday, February 12, 2017, and it was a night full of grand performances. James Corden
took over the hosting duties from LL Cool J, who has been the host for the past five years. Corden shared the
stage with many of music’s top hits including the Weekend, Adele, Katy Perry, and Beyoncé.
Adele was the big winner this year taking home five Grammys including Album of the Year for “25”,
Song of the Year and Recording of the Year, both for “Hello”. David Bowie, even after his death won five
Grammys for his song released on January 8, 2016, “Blackstar”. Bowie won all the categories he was
nominated in including Best Rock Song and Best Rock Performance. Chance the Rapper won three Grammys
including Best New Artist and Best Rap Album.
Bruno Mars performed an amazing tribute to Prince. Daft Punk also partnered with the Weekend to
perform “I Feel it Coming”.
Rebels Trapped on Battleship of Death!
by Charles Larzelere
This week in History Club, we had to disable the control tower of a Super Star Destroyer in order to save Rebels escaping from
Hoth. In order to do that, the group decided to have some people pretend to be bounty hunters while some of us pretended to be their
prisoners. We managed to get aboard, but almost immediately Bryan Clancy blew our cover and began a surprise attack. After a lot of
fighting, our group managed to blow up a portion of the command room. Then Darth Vader showed up out of the smoke! When he
did, Bryan Clancy had his character use the Force to crush Vader’s life support box on his chest. Vader had to leave the fight, but he is
still alive and we are currently still on board the Star Destroyer trying to get back to our ship. Mission accomplished, but many of us
are wounded and we’re out of luck.
What does Star Wars have to do with history? Well, this adventure is loosely based on the Royal Navy’s battle with the
German super-battleship Bismarck in World War Two. In real life, the Bismarck outgunned all the ships sent against it, but was sunk
by biplanes from the Fleet Air Arm. In our game, the heroes snuck aboard to shoot up the battleship’s bridge, which wasn’t an option
in the real war. But it’s Star Wars. That sort of thing works.
Also, commando raids in real life tend to go the same way the game did. At first, the raiders do a lot of damage, but they get
separated from each other. Sooner or later, the enemy gets strong forces together and starts picking off the raiders. If the raiders don’t
break off and run early enough, they don’t make it back alive. Will that happen in our realistic wargame? Stay tuned …