november 13, 2014
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Volume 17, Issue 5 November 13, 2014
Xavier High School6300 42nd St. NECedar Rapids, IA 52411www.xaviersaints.orgwww.issuu.com/xpressnewspaper/docs=Follow us: @xpressnewspaper Page Design by Kathleen Parrish. Photo by Katherine Bauer
LEGALLYBLONDE
Thursday-Saturday at 7 p.m. in the Regis-LaSalle Theater
Xavier High SchoolNews2
The XpressBi-weeklyXavier High School 6300 42nd St. NE Cedar Rapids, IA 52411Volume 17 Issue 5
Xpress Staff
Editor-In-ChiefKatherine BauerPhoto EditorKathleen Parrish
PhotographersJessica Fenske
Ellie Detweiler
Maddy Bailey
BusinessTory Brown
DistributionDonavin WengerOnline Editor
Jeff Frieden
News EditorTyler Testin News Writers
Kathleen Parrish
Tory Brown
Erin Drahozal
Amy Boe
KJ Giles
Opinion EditorAmy Boe
Opinion AssistantAbby Willey
Opinion WritersNic Ekland
Erin Drahozal
Erin Foley
Brooke Alexander
Adrienne Hayes
Student Life EditorJenny Dickes
Student Life AssistantMorgan Ross
Student Life WriterStephanie Wehr
Mini-Feature EditorsFaith Bohrer & Mikayla Noonan
Mini-Feature AssistantHadley Shriver
Feature EditorsBrady Hoffman & Jessica Driscoll
Feature WriterBrylee Bastian
Health and Lifestyle EditorSamantha Valenta
Health and Lifestyle AssistantMaddy Bailey
Health and Lifestyle WriterHailey Justice
Arts & Entertainment EditorKayla Thompson & Rachel Lampe
Arts and Entertainment WritersCatie Locher
Donavin Wenger
Nic Ekland
Sports EditorDaniel Richardson
Sports AssistantKJ Giles
Sports WritersLuke Koechner
Grant Gibney
Ryan Williams
Mark Wardlaw
Backpage EditorsJessica Fenske
Backpage AssistantEllie Detweiler
Backpage WriterAnna Christianson
Index News.. 2 | Opinion.. 4
Student Life.. 6 | Mini-Feature.. 7Feature.. 8
Health & Lifestyle.. 10 | A & E.. 11Sports.. 14 | Backpage.. 16
International Round TableInternational
Round Table was celebrated on
November 7. It was Xavier’s 17th iteration of
the global conference created by Regis High School in 1984. This year, 25 countries were represented by 45 foreign exchange students from 12 nearby schools. The morning kicked off with a welcome speech in the Regis-LaSalle Theatre from Xavier student body President Anna Zittergruen.
“The International Round Table is designed to give high school foreign exchange students from surrounding schools an opportunity to meet and exchange points of view on issues of national and international concern,” Zittergruen said.
International Round Table Chair and Student Body Vice President Allison Jasper then took the stage to give the exchange students an overview of the upcoming events and the program’s goal.
“While no previous Xavier or Regis Round Table has ever solved a serious world problem, past participants have realized a new sense of appreciation and understanding that supports the Round Table’s theme of ‘One Small Step Toward World Peace Through Mutual Understanding,” Jasper said.
Participants were divided into three groups for the morning’s
discussion about world culture. One group remained in the theatre where they were questioned by Xavier students and journalists from neighboring schools. Topics ranged from education and social life to food and family time. A lively atmosphere was created by the musical tracks laid down by DJ junior Mitch Young. At this round table discussion, exchange students on stage never knew what questions would be asked, but they always gave insight to the Xavier students and journalists.
“At schools in America, you can do sports with school, and that’s awesome because in Italy you can’t,” Italian Linn-Mar student Carolina Bologna said. “Iowa is not like New York so you don’t have much stuff to do, but you have sports and I think that is amazing.”
Another group shared their global experiences in the Library Media Center. The discussion circle was led by Xavier Student Senators. Their session was cut short for a break with refreshments including fruit snacks and bottled water provided by Student Senate.
The destination for the third group was Xavier’s world language classrooms. Students had the unique opportunity for face-to-face conversations between visiting students and American natives. Small groups were formed to share stories about riding to school on a bicycle or the finer points of politics.
Foreign exchange students spent their morning interacting with Xavier students. Then they were given the opportunity to get to know each other. The exchange students ventured into the Mercy Practice Gym for a lunch donated by Panera Bread. Friendly games of soccer, volleyball, and basketball quickly erupted after lunch. It was a day for celebrating unique cultures around the world. International Round Table also found a way to unite foreign exchange students, and allowed Xavier a glimpse at life outside of the United States.
Tyler TestinNews Editor
Argentina Yrube San Martin-WashingtonBolivia Gilmer Emmanuel Mauricio-Linn-MarChina Peng Gao-Linn-MarLucy Liu-XavierOlivia Liu-KennedyAlina Lu-Linn-MarChen Yi Wang-XavierKevin Wang-JeffersonTina Wu-XavierCongo Dorcas Kibassa-Linn-MarDaniel Luzindya-Linn-MarNathan Luzindya-Linn-MarDenmark Mie Stecher Andersen-XavierDR Congo Adurey Mzuza-Linn-MarNahla Tawfik-Linn-MarNehal Tawfik-Linn-Mar
France Thomas Dupuy-Linn-MarTixiana Dupuy-Linn-MarGermany Victoria Blinova-WashingtonNicolas Cornely-WilliamsburgPia Dikof-Linn-MarSophia Jungblut-XavierMichelle Kaempar-JeffersonPauline Lehfeldt-Linn-MarGhana Esinam Ziddah-WilliamsburgHondurasDenilson Martinez-Linn-MarItaly Carolina Bologna-Linn-MarJapan Mijuki Nakagawa-JeffersonAyane Nakano-KennedyNatsuka Sakata-WashingtonMali Kadidia Teme-Mid-PrairieNorway Alexander Arnesen-Midland
Ingrid Husby-XavierSouth KoreaDoe Yeon Kim-Linn-MarSpain Macarena Cisneros-Linn-MarPablo Penalba -SpringvilleSweden Amanda Hedlund-LisbonClara Lonnheim-SpringvilleTaiwan Jia-Lin (Linda) Chen-LisbonTanzania Haitham Suleiman-PrairieThailandSasipapar Jongchansittho-Linn-MarUkraine Anastasiya Bonderenko-Mid-PrairieUruguay Patricio Bianchi-Linn-MarYemen Saba Al Leswas-Kennedy
Foreign Exchange Visitors
One group of exchange students share their stories in the theater.Kayla Torson Photo.
Above: A panel speaks to a World Language classroom.Right: One student showcases his soccer skills. Madsy Richards Photos.
November 13, 2014 3NewsGems of Hope brightens lives of cancer patients
On November 15, this coming Saturday, Xavier senior Melanie Wertzberger and Kennedy senior Michele Miller will host the second annual Battle of 42nd Street for the Gems of Hope organization. This event will take place from 12-3 p.m. in the Kennedy High School Library. Students are encouraged to attend for at least a half hour. Attendees’ names will get put into a drawing for over 85 gift cards and prizes. Students will create cards and bookmarks for cancer patients while eating food and having fun.
Gems of Hope is a non-profit organization that offers gifts of jewelry mounted on inspirational cards to cancer patients. The goal is to bring hope to them and their families. Gems of Hope was inspired by a nine-year-old named Tory, who is from Cedar Rapids. While her mother was in treatments for cancer, Tory would write daily notes of encouragement where her mother could see them. Her mother realized how the love of Tory’s notes were valuable components of her recovery. She joined two friends, who were also affected by cancer, to set up this non-profit organization to bring hope to others.
Wertzberger started doing service for Gems of Hope by attending the
monthly workshops available. “My favorite thing about
Gems of Hope is the community, each of the volunteers have huge hearts,” Wertzberger said.
Since then, she has hosted her own workshops at her home and at Xavier, created the Battle of 42nd Street, and became the first member on the Gems of Hope Youth Advisory Board.
“The reason I give so much of my time to Gems of Hope is because it is fun!” Wertzberger said. “Service is very important to me because there are a lot of people in the world who need our help, and when you find service that you truly enjoy, that is when you have the greatest power to make a difference. I want to expose my classmates to how fun doing service can be!” Wertzberger has been a part of the Gems of Hope team for two and a half years.
“Being able to bring a little joy and hope to the patients and their families warms my heart,” Miller said. Miller and Wertzberger have been working on Gems of Hope events together for a little over a year.
Last year, at the first 42nd Street battle, students made 1,099 cards and 512 bookmarks in the three hour period. There were over 120 students who went to the event and
over 80 of them were from Xavier. This year, Wertzberger and
Miller hope to have an even better turn out to keep giving hope to cancer patients in the area.
Tory BrownNews Writer
Math Club competes in Great Plains Math LeagueXavier’s math team, consisting
of senior Lucy Liu, junior Tina Wu, sophomores Megan Korbel and Chen Yi Wang, and Regis eighth grader Lauren Korbel, took second place for varsity teams in their division of the Great Plains Math League at the GPML competition held on November 1 at Waverly Shell-Rock. The Xavier team competed in the small school category, but scored higher than many teams from larger schools.
Xavier is a member of the Great Plains Math League. Competitions are held monthly from October through March. Student mathematicians solve problems to reach the statewide competition at Iowa City West High School on April 18. Last year, four Xavier students and one Regis student qualified for state. The Xavier Math Club won first place in the small school division.
At the most recent competition, Tina Wu was the first Saint to qualify for this year’s state competition.
Wu scored 50 on the Target round (first place for 11th grade) and 85 on the Sprint (second place overall). Liu was second place out of 12th grade students in the Target Round and finished third in the Sprint. In the 10th grade category, Megan Korbel reached third place in both the Sprint and Target rounds. Her younger sister, Lauren Korbel, finished in first place for eighth graders in the Sprint and second place in the Target.
The Math Club was established by Xavier students looking to have fun by participating in math competitions. According to Mrs. Barb Miltner, Math Club moderator, math competitions encourage the essential virtues of ingenuity and perseverance.
“I want to help students develop their problem solving skills and mature mathematically while having fun,” Mrs. Miltner said
“I always enjoy math competitions,” Liu said. “It’s fun to compete against people who
share the same passion as you.”In addition to the GPML,
the Math Club competes in the American Mathematics Competition, Trig Star, and the USA Mathematical Talent Search. If interested in joining the Math Club, please contact Mrs. Miltner.
Erin Drahozal News Writer
Senior Melanie Wertzberger (far right) participates in a Gems of Hope Event. Tory Brown Photo.
Sophomore Megan Korbel, junior Tina Wu, sophomore Chen Yi Wang, senior Lucy Liu, and 8th grader Lauren Korbel celebrate their high rankings at the GPML competition held November 1. Mrs. Barb Miltner Photo.
Piles of bookmarks and cards to boost the morale of cancer patients were created by members of the Gems of Hope Organization. Tory Brown Photo.
W h a t a c t u a l l y happens on Kairos? Is there really a “naked” Mass? Are you brainwashed? As one of
the first people in my junior class to go, those are a few questions I’ve been hearing a lot lately. I can’t tell a whole lot, but what I can say is that Kairos is the single, most meaningful experience I have had at Xavier so far, and attending was the best decision I have ever made.
Sadly, some people have been so negative and closed minded about it, I haven’t really gotten to enjoy my “Kai-high.” It’s also unfortunate that there will be people who will choose not to go because they will listen to all the “Kairos bashers” and will miss out on an amazing experience.
The worst part about it is that those people sharing negative thoughts have never even gone on Kairos. How can you judge an experience when you know nothing about it? Are they just afraid of experiencing actual feelings or really knowing
D i g i t a l t e c h n o l o g y is one of the biggest m a r k e t s in today’s society and has a huge social and
economic impact. When thinking of long car rides, it is characterized with loud music, sleeping, and playing games of I spy. Society is already addicted to phones and iPads as it is, but now it may all be taken to another level. GMC is now offering all their cars with Wifi capabilities. This begs the question, is there a line that needs to be drawn? Let’s face it, it’s already been crossed.
At only $10 a month ($5 for OnStar users), you’re able to recieve 200 MB of data. The data plan provided by AT&T is said to give the user around 6.5 hours of Pandora streaming or 13 hours of surfing the internet. GMC is also offering other plans for non-OnStar users including one gigabyte for $20, three gigs for $30, and five gigs for $50.
That being said, I can see a few positives with this wifi option including: if a person
Xavier High SchoolOpinion4Older brothers are the best
For those who don’t know, I have three older b r o t h e r s : A n t h o n y , W i l l i a m , and Kevin. Through the
years, I’ve often been asked if I wished I had a sister or at least a younger sibling. My answer is always a resounding, “NO!” Having three older brothers has been the best thing in my life. They have taught me so many things, whether they realize it or not. While they can be a pain in the butt, I know they will always be there for me.
Some people ask me now if I miss not having my brothers around all the time. The answer again is, “NO!” No more are the days of fighting for time in the bathroom or struggling to find something to eat because Kevin doesn’t understand portion control. I don’t have to fight for dominance in order to drive the Saturn (our good ole’ manual car) or hear them complain every time I actually act like a girl
and wear heels (*clip-clops*). These were common issues when my brothers were living at home. Now, they’re non-existent.
I dealt with brothers until eighth grade when Kevin graduated from Xavier. For 14 years, my brothers taught me the greatest things I could ever learn. I learned to fight back when they would steal my stuffed animals, to be persuasive when they tried to get me to be the fourth football player, and to be tough as I tried my hardest to be faster or stronger than them. “You have
to eat your vegetables because you can’t just order mac and cheese on your first date.” Yes, I still remember that one. I was taught to put your name on your food because it’s all fair game. And don’t throw the rules of etiquette out the window, which I apparently did and still haven’t heard the end of it. I’m still not sure what that even means.
The thing I appreciate most is their fierce protection of me. While their plan was for me to not date until I turned 35 and at which point they’d send me to the convent, I have dated.
Even though they rarely met the guy, they always told me he wasn’t worthy of me. And while I didn’t necessarily feel that way about the guys, my brothers taught me to never settle or be taken advantage of. I recall my mom informing me that when my brothers found out about one particular break-up, their response was, “Go get the crowbar; we’re gonna bash out some knees.” They taught me how a guy needs to treat me and to always be with who makes me happy.
William says he feels old everytime I mention that I’m graduating this year. Without my brothers, I wouldn’t quite be who I am today. I love my brothers so much even if we don’t always see each other or get along or just say that. I love that we can get together after not seeing each other for months and act like our ages are single digit numbers again. I’m sorry for the hard-boiled eggs fiasco that one Easter I ate them. And I’m sorry for spilling the gravy that one Thanksgiving; I promise I won’t fumble it this year.
Katherine BauerEditor-in-Cheif The Bauer children attempt to take a nice, Easter picture
together. Photo Submitted.
Online on the road
has a young, loud kid, they can set them up with Netflix and enjoy a quiet car ride. In the off chance you have a problem with your car, you can simply hop on the Wifi and call a tow truck or serviceman.
However, the question posed earlier comes up again. Where should the line be drawn, and has it already been crossed? It is easier than ever to ignore family and friends by simply plugging in our headphones, listening to some Pandora, or getting on Twitter. The wifi cars are promoting that even more. The Wifi in cars will just make human contact and talking to one another even less prevalent.
While the benefits may seem substantial, is it really worth even more loss of human contact? That’s up to society to decide, but wifi in the cars is a new concept that is bold and different, and I’m excited to see what people think about it.
As for me, I’ll be spending my holiday travel time talking to my family rather than being consumed by my iPad or phone.
Luke KoechnerSports Writer
Don’t bash on Kairos
the people they spend all weekend with? Why are they so threatened by this weekend that they will go out of their way to publicly denounce it?
Imagine our disappointment when we come home from an amazing weekend and a renewed sense of peace and happiness only to be faced with negative people attacking our experience. If they only knew what was going on in some of their classmates lives, then maybe they would think twice about being so disrespectful towards them. It’s crazy to think that the people I now consider family have been sitting next to me in a classroom for two years and I didn’t know a single thing about them. I feel that if we had more retreats like Kairos, there would be less depression and anxiety with teenagers.
We hear everyday about teens who take their own lives simply because they feel all alone. After Kairos, I know I am not alone. I not only have my friends, but I have my new family that I can turn to for help- I know they will always be there for me. Remember, Ohana means family and family means nobody gets left behind or forgotten.
Morgan RossStudent Life Assistant Editor
November 13, 2014 Opinion 5A three-year “four-year experience”
“Are you the one g ra d u a t i n g early?” I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve been asked
this question, but let’s just say it happens often enough that I have to restrain myself from replying with an eye roll or a snippy “yes.” Just to clarify, I am one of “those” junior/senior mashup students. Along with two other students, I will be graduating this upcoming spring after attending Xavier for three years.
In 2013, my sister Devin became the first Xavier student to graduate in three years. When she began college in the fall, I saw a real change in her for the better. She was infinitely happier than she had been in Iowa, and she loved her new school in Texas. However, Devin wasn’t my only motivation towards early graduation. For example, I hate winter and
I love the ocean. Therefore, I’m not a huge fan of living in Iowa. I love the state, but it’s not the right fit for me. Also, I didn’t feel very challenged in school. I would study and do homework like everyone else, but I would almost always get the A without any additional work or time put in. Although this was nice, I was tired of having it easy. I wanted to be challenged. All of these factors, in addition to many more, compelled me to make the decision for early graduation.
Now, I’m not advocating for all students to rush their
high school experience and graduate in three years. High school is a once in a lifetime experience, and we’re told it’s some of the best years of our lives. However, I am hoping that after you read this article, you’ll respect the decision to graduate early. Personally, I knew that I would be unhappy if I had to spend another year in Iowa. I made the decision for myself and my happiness.
Like all decisions, there were haters. I had upperclassmen tell me that I didn’t belong in their class or in their parking lot because I wasn’t a true senior.
Juniors told me on multiple occasions how stupid I was for graduating early because I was ruining my “high school experience.” Luckily, I was blessed with more support than hate. Nothing made me smile more than the students who wished me good luck with school next year or the students who told me how excited they are for me. In my eyes, those people were the true Saints in the hallway.
If you get anything out of my article, please remember that even if you don’t support early graduation, respect the decision of others to choose this course. Please remember to keep all of your negative energy to yourself; you’re not doing any good by sharing it with others. The decision to graduate early is a personal one to pursue dreams and achieve happiness.
Adrienne HayesOpinion Writer
Adrienne Hayes preps for her graduation in the spring. Hayes will graduate after three years. Kellie Wagner Photo.
Two weeks ago, I was out enjoying a bite to eat with my brother John, along with my grandparents
visiting from Indianapolis. He was on fall break for college and we decided to take a trip to the New Bo district for lunch so we could all catch up with one another. While we were walking out of the restaurant, John got a notification on his phone from CNN with breaking news that there was another school shooting. This time, two people were confirmed dead in a suburban Seattle high school. The shooter was a popular freshman who seemed like a normal kid, but that all changed on the fateful morning of October 24. A week after this event occurred, the number of fatalities had increased to four and many questions still remain. What would cause a freshman in high school to choose this type of violence?
According to CNN, 11 large
School shootings: how can we prevent them?
scale school shootings have taken place since 2009. In each individual tragedy, at least one victim was killed by knife or gun shot wounds and over half of these events culminated with the killer taking his own life.
Now, the intent of this article is not to try and ignite any controversy or scare students. However, it is extremely important that we realize the repercussions our actions can have on our community and our nation.
When I entered the halls of Xavier as a freshman, I was introduced to what I like to consider the “Xavier Way.” In short, this concept is a specific standard that encourages students to show love and compassion towards others in every aspect of life, expanding beyond the grounds of our school. The class of 2013 was a prime example of a group that embraced this mantra and put it into action on a consistent basis. This could be seen through their heartfelt commitment to service outside the school walls and their unwavering amount of school spirit for every sport and activity.
For me, Xavier has always been a welcoming and
enjoyable environment. Whether it be my interactions with other students or positive relationships with teachers and staff, every day presents me with a new opportunity to grow and thrive as a Catholic individual.
But who am I to assume that everyone else has this same type of experience? What if the person I’m sitting right next to in class absolutely dreads coming to school because they are insecure or constantly bullied? That second question is something we all need to ponder carefully before making that next ill-advised remark or comment. Will we strive to make a difference in that person’s day or will we continue to simply “look the other way” when our moral bounds are tested? It is time to look deep within ourselves and determine whether or not we truly have made an effort to be inclusive and live out the faith.
With this being said, I am also not oblivious to the fact that it is nearly impossible to try and change the mindset of 750 individuals in our school all at once. It is not easy to go out of your way in order to make sure every person is filled with happiness and has a
support group to help them get through their struggles. I get that. The main point I’m trying to establish here, though, is quite simple. Assuming and making irrational conclusions about someone’s personal life or background is never going to bring out a positive result for anyone involved. Human beings have their own ways of handling negative emotions and stress and it is our job as Xavier Saints to ensure that no one chooses to use these emotions in a violent way.
Now, you may be wondering where or how you can begin to implement this movement around our school. Here’s an idea: look up from this article and find someone around you that you aren’t accustomed to socializing with very often. Approach them with confidence, offer a compliment or start a conversation. You never know the difference it could make in their day. This simple act is my ideal vision of the “Xavier Way”.
Daniel RichardsonSports Editor
Xavier High School Student Life 6
Foreign Exchange StudentsThis year, Xavier is lucky to have six foreign exchange students in a variety of
grades. Check out what these students think of America in comparison with their own countries.
Page Design by : Jenny Dickes and Morgan Ross. Information collected by : Stephanie Wehr.
Name & Host Family
What are stereotypes of Americans & are they
true?
What is the weirdest thing about America?
What do you miss the most about your country?
Chen Yi WangAunt Cindy
Chen
Mie Stecher Andersen
Karas FamilySophia
JungblutMarti Family
Ingrid HusbyFeltman Family
Tina WuSwenziski
Family
"Americans love guns and love themselves, which both
seem to be true.”
"Americans have a lot of national pride, which is
true.”
“You guys don’t use knives often.”
“There are a lot of ceiling fans in America.”
“I miss the fresh bread from the bakeries back
home.”
“I miss biking to school every day.”
Lucy LiuHer Parents
"I assumed school would be much easier here,
which is true.”
"It’s weird that you take written gym tests.”
"I miss my family and friends the most.”
"That a lot of people in America are really tall, which is not that true.”
"Americans are fat and lazy, which isn’t true.”
"Americans are fat which is not really true.”
"That you watch so many sports. Back home in China we only really watch basketball.”
"I think it’s weird that you can drive at age 14.”
"How much you guys all love football.”
“I miss my friends and the food back home.”
"I miss the water in Norway the most.”
"I miss my cats and the food from China
the most.”
Mie ‘16Denmark
Sophia ‘16Germany
Chen ‘17China
Ingrid ‘16Norway
Lucy ‘15China
Tina ‘16China
Design By: Faith Bohrer and Mikayla Noonan Photos By: Mikayla Noonan and Paige Janney
November 13, 2014 Mini-Feature 7
When Freshmen enter Xavier High School, they are greeted by a plethora of heart stopping seniors. This year’s Freshman class was bound to have a Senior crush. The Xpress set out to see who the Freshmen were crushing on this
year.
S e n i o r Crushes Jackson Joens &
Kayla Torson
“I like Kayla because she is super athletic and seems
really nice.”
“I like Sanders because he’s funny and dedicated
to football.”
“I like Camden because he is hilarious.”
“I like Noah because he’s great at football.”
Hanna Bohrer &Camden Stovie
Grace Hiserote & Sanders Ferring
Natalie Justice & Noah Clasen
“I like Katie because she followed me first on
Instagram.”
Design By: Faith Bohrer and Mikayla Noonan Photos By: Mikayla Noonan and Paige Janney
“I like Sammi because she is very outgoing.”
Are You a banana? Because I think you’re appealing!
Beau Van Berkum & Sammi Noonan
Peter Westlund & Katie Ives
8 FeatureNovember 13, 2014
“It’s not about the pieces, but how they work together.”
Xavier is all about service. So much about service that, once a year, Xavier dedicates a whole school day to serving the community. Over 700 students participate. Xavier goes to 165 houses and 10 different work sites throughout the Cedar Rapids area. This would
not have been possible without the 100 parent drivers.
Lauren Cooling ‘17 “My favorite part is seeing how
much we can actually help those in need and seeing the differnce
we made.”
“It’s a great day to help others who can’t help themselves. My favorite part was talking to the
people we helped.”
Gabe Lux ‘18
Page Design By Brady Hoffman and Jessica Driscoll Information Collected by Brylee Bastian
9Xavier High SchoolFeature
“It’s not about the pieces, but how they work together.”
Xavier is all about service. So much about service that, once a year, Xavier dedicates a whole school day to serving the community. Over 700 students participate. Xavier goes to 165 houses and 10 different work sites throughout the Cedar Rapids area. This would
not have been possible without the 100 parent drivers.
Riley Dempsey ‘16 Katie O’Rourke ‘15“My favorite part is giving back to the community because that
is what it’s all about.”
“For my last community service day, it was the most rewarding.
The group I was with was so excited to serve. The smiles on residents faces made the hard
work all worth it.”
Page Design By Brady Hoffman and Jessica Driscoll Information Collected by Brylee Bastian
Xavier High SchoolHealth & Lifestyle10
How to stay safe from weight gain during your thanksgiving feast and how to stay safe from all the
Black Friday beasts.
Roast Turkey: 4 ounces168 calories/servingrun 1.7 miles*
Mashed potatoes:3/4 cup178 calories/servingRun 1.8 miles*
Apple pie:1 slice of pie411 calories/ servingrun 4.1 miles*
homemade gravy:1/2 cup67 calories/ servingrun .7 miles*
*150-pound person running nine minutes per mile
T h a n ks g i v i n g Feast
Black FridayBeast
Page Design: Sam Valenta, Maddy Bailey and Hailey Justice. Information Provided By: Runner’s World Magazine, www.trustedchoice.com, www.allyou.com Pictures: http://pixabay.com, clipart.com.
RUN
To
A
Guilt-
Free
Th
an
ks
giv
ing
black friday Safetyfor you and your wallet
Your wallet
Make a list
gather information
shop with another person
cover the most ground by splitting up
yourselfwrite down where you parked
avoid being alone; shop in groups
use credit cards to avoid cash theft
carry a small bag close to your body
Keep all purchases out of view in your car
Your wallet
Make a list
gather information
shop with another person
cover the most ground by splitting up
yourselfwrite down where you parked
avoid being alone; shop in groups
use credit cards to avoid cash theft
carry a small bag close to your body
Keep all purchases out of view in your car
November 13, 2014 A & E 11
Art Department
Legally Blonde Takes the Stage
Kathleen ParrishPhoto Editor
Stations of the Cross created by Zach Determann ‘16 and Ellie Burke ‘14 will hang outside of the Monsignor Sodawasser Chapel.
Art ClubWhat makes Art Club unique?
“Art Club gives kids a creative outlet without the pressure of a grade. A great thing about Art Club is being able to see what others are doing, get inspired, and feel encouraged to try something new.”
Who is in Art Club?“We have Lucy Liu as President and Kathleen Parrish as Vice-President.
Our Class Reps for sophomores are Belle Canney and Lizzy Novack. Our Class Rep for freshmen is Anne Marie Swiderski.”
Can I join Art Club?“Anyone can join Art Club. You do not need to be in art to participate.”
Rachel LampeA&E Co-Editor
Stations of the Cross
This year’s fall musical, Legally Blonde, will be performed in the Regis-LaSalle Theater November 13-15 at 7 p.m. Xavier’s theater department is excited to present this highly acclaimed, crowd favorite.
“It seems to be very popular. I didn’t realize how well-known it was until we started auditioning,” Xavier drama director Mike Cervantes said. “A lot of kids came to try out and were already familiar with the songs. We have a really, really great cast, and the kids are doing an incredible job. It’s a show that they can relate to because of the characters’ ages. The script is funny and the music is great, too.”
Many Xavier students are involved in each theater production. Auditions were held back in September, and a list of the student cast and crew can be found in the
Homecoming issue of The Xpress. Legally Blonde has 52 students in the cast and 32 in the crew. Even teachers are a part of this musical. There are eight teachers with parts.
Senior Michaela Brown plays the lead role of Elle Woods, a seemingly vapid fashionista who gets into Harvard Law School to prove
to her ex-boyfriend that she can be “serious.” However, on her quest to win back Warner Huntington (played by senior Noah Lauer), she realizes how much her knowledge of law can help people and she begins to find her own way in the world.
“I think that the musical is such a good show because it plays off of such a popular
Q&A with Mrs. Stephanie WendtStations of the Cross has taken many months to create.
Beginning last fall, Ceramics 2 decided to take on the project, but it soon was passed onto Ceramics 3 when some staions did not turn out. During firing, some issues arose, leaving some of the stations that needed to be redone. Zach Determann ‘16 took it upon himself to create five of them this fall during Independent Study.
“Zach is a very meticulous person, perfect for something like this in order to have a united look throughout,” Mrs. Stephanie Wendt said. Ellie Burke ‘14 contributed by creating four stations before graduating last spring.
movie and everyone will enjoy it,” junior Kayla Fuller, who plays Margot, said. “I like being involved in theater programs because everyone here knows how to work hard and have fun. I also love getting to perform and entertain people with all my friends on stage.”
Adult tickets are $8 and student/senior tickets are $6 each.
Sophomore Jeff Daubitz, seniors Noah Maternach, Noah Lauer, and Michaela Brown rehearse for the upcoming show. Katherine Bauer Photo.
Xavier High SchoolA & E12
Dining with Donavin Poms Place in Solos
Xavier Reacts: High School TunesMusic has grown and changed throughout the years, and many people listen to different styles, but how different is it? We
asked three students and three teachers to listen to each other’s favorite high school songs, without knowing ahead of time what the songs were, and tell us their reactions.
Adelita’s Mexican Grill is an authentic Mexican restaurant is relatively new to the Cedar Rapids area and is located on Blairs Ferry Road NE.
The atmosphere in Adelita’s is, however, a shortfall due to its stale and generic Mexican restaurant feel. With soft Spanish music playing, chips and salsa on the table, and various sports playing on the TVs, you get the feeling that you could be in any Mexican restaurant.
However, if Mexican food is what you are hungry for, Adelita’s has you covered. Their extensive menu has nachos, tacos, quesadillas, chimichangas, and various other dishes. While there, I ordered the enchiladas verdes. For only $8.79 you get three chicken enchiladas topped with salsa verdes and a side of rice and beans. I am a huge fan of Mexican food, and I was certainly not disappointed! The food was brought out very quickly and tasted delicious. The only downside is that this dish comes in rather large proportions, so if you are looking to try some authentic Mexican desserts you may not have any room left.
Last, but not least, I move onto
service. The service experience at Adelita’s was average. I say this because, while there was nothing wrong with the service, there was not anything really too phenomenal about it either. The food came out quickly but the service was not anything to especially note.
In summary, Adelita’s Mexican Grill initially comes off as any other Mexican restaurant but the food excels! Adelita’s can assuredly satisfy nearly any Mexican food cravings one may have.
The Xavier poms team had a great day at Stack the Stands and State Solo Contest. Their first competition was on October 25 at Prairie High School’s Stack the Stands. For senior Madison Recker, who has been on the pom squad all four years, this was the start of her last season on the team. As one of the captains for the team, she lead the girls tin their first competition.
Not only did the girls compete well as a team but also in the solo category. Around 80 girls from different high schools in the area competed with their solos. Freshman Mary Tallet received eighth place, junior Erin Foley received third place, and Recker received first place.
“I was very excited to win first place,” Recker said. “It was a fantastic start to my season, and it motivates me to keep on getting better.”
On November 1, poms took four girls to compete at the state solo competition. Recker, Foley, sophomore Anna Weih, and Tallet all received division I ratings. Weih got eleventh place, Recker got seventh place, and Foley led the team receiving third place above the 70 other girls in their category.
“Getting third at state was a really cool experience,” Foley said. “I’ve never placed that high before at a state competition, and it felt really good to do well after I had worked so hard for it.”
The Xavier poms team will continue their competition season on November 15. The girls will be traveling to Chicago to compete in North Shore UDA Competition.
Catie LocherA&E Writer
Donavin WengerA&E Writer
Do you know the song?I have never heard it, but I figured it was called
Love Me Harder.
How is music today different from when you were in high school?
I don’t think it’s that different. There is so many kinds that you basically find one you’re drawn to
and that’s what you go with.
Mr. KeatingFavorite Song: Layla
by Eric Clapton
Peyton Recker ‘16Favorite Song: Blame
by Calvin Harris
Mrs. WhittFavorite Song: Two Points
for Honesty by Guster
Regis Breitbach ‘17Favorite Song:
Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen
Mr. GoldsmithFavorite Song: Pink Houses
by John Mellencamp
Do you know the song?I don’t remember the name, but I have heard it.
What did you think of the song? I thought it was a really depressing song, but I
really liked the instrumental part, I don’t think I liked the lyrics as much.
Do you know the song?It sounds like “Blame it on the Night.”
How is music today different from when you were in high school?
Emotion is a big part of music. I think it evokes emotion, it expresses emotion, and I
think in that regard, there is a lot of the same.
Mrs. Whitt listened to Bohemian Rhapsody
Do you know the song?I know it’s by John Mellencamp, but I don’t
know the title.
Do you think music today is better or worse than it used to be?
I listen to new music more, but it is worse now because of auto-tuning.
Do you know the song?No, I have no idea what the song is.
Do you think music today is better or worse than it used to be?
I think music today is worse because they have a lot more bad lyrics in them, and most music is all from computers, and back then
they didn’t have them.
Do you know the song?Yes, I have heard the song before but I don’t
remember the title.
What did you think of the song?I thought it was good. It was nice and
relaxing.
Mr. Goldsmith listened to Love Me Harder
Mr. Keating listened to Blame
Regis Breitbach listened to Two Points for Honesty
Kiana Stanek listened to Pink Houses
Peyton Recker listened to Layla
Kayla ThompsonA&E Co-Editor
Kiana Stanek ‘17Favorite Song: Love Me
Harder by Ariana Grande
RatingsAtmosphere
Food
Service
OverallTallet, Recker, Foley, and Weih pose with their awards. Photo Submitted.
November 13, 2014 A & E 13
Patrons
Dick AlexanderKelli AlexanderNancy AlexanderKermit and Florence AlvesherePeter and Joan BaileyRyan and Tracy BastianJim and Judy BauerKen and Rosemary BauerJohn BeairdNancy BicketKathy BlackDoug and Charla BoeSandy BoeDaryll and Beth BohrerMarti BowmanHannah BrownHeidi BrownLydia and Mike BrownChristy BryantCassie BuschAnna BusseSheli ChristiansonHannah ChuteGary and Mindy ColemanJane and Rod CollinsSharon DanielsonMr. and Mrs. Mike DelaneyBrooke DeWolfJohn and Darlene DickesSteve and Pat Dickes Jan and Mike DrahozalJoe and Kelly DrahozalGeorge and Lois DreyBette EklandTom and Terry EklandStephen and Kay ElliotJacob and Theresa FahnleJack and Micki Fenske
Jenna FenskeJim and Linda FenskeBarney and Kathy FoleyJeff and Jenny FriedenRichard GalliganMeghan GerkeBlake GibneyMary and Jeff GibneyJeanne GilesPatty and Al GotheJack and Walda GustafsonPreston and Janan HallNell and Mike HammelBob and Lauren HammerbergTrisha HartScott HassenstabLaura HerrigTim and Katie HillStan and Jeanne HlasJohn and Sasha HoffmanMarvin and Linda HoffmanTom and Jean HoffmanCraig and Mary HovdaLogan and Stephanie HoxieSue JenningsDave JusticeJoe JusticeRay and Beth KaminRay and Jan KaminMary and Ralph KammermeirRon KeatingKelli KertonJames and Barb KleinJenny KoechnerAnn and Tim KortemeyerLarry and Maryetta LampeMary and Perry LauresJim Lemke
Dee and Tom LempkaJohn A. LocherLaura and John LocherMary LocherDoris LogelShirley LukanMegan LynchBob and Lori MadrickBob and Sue MadrickJohn and Jenni MadrickPat and Al MaiersKelly MarkhamMcCartan FamilyJames McEniryMaryanne McEniryChris and Erin MeyerTony and Kathy MoederLeo and Diane MonaghanShannon MulcaheyMary NeuwohnerJohn and Ruth NeuzilLisa NielsenRose Nino Mike NoonanMorgan NoonanMr. and Mrs. Steve NoonanShawnee OwensLeslie PageDaniel PapeEve ParrishMike and Mary ParrishBonnie and Pat PeacockTess PladsenAshley PudilLisa RamloAnn and Dave RichardsonJohn Richardson
Tom and Dianna RichardsonWilma RobinsonBrian and Dione RossGreg and Tracy RossJack and Sharon RossJoan ShriverMichael and Mary SchulteChristine SparksJerry StantonTed StegerJim and Rita TestinDave and Karen ThinnesScott ThompsonWilma ThompsonAnna UpahCaryl ValentaDaniel VegaMolly VipondTim and Kim VipondJody, Hillary, and Amelia VonAnsenMike and Sue WaldronGene WardlawMatt WardlawLynn WeberLyle and Shelly WehrSamantha WehrJason and Tori WengerAlexandria WestlundJeff and Cheryl WestlundAnne WhiteTerry WhitneyJoAnn WilleyChristi WilliamsWendy WilliamsMark and Maureen Zittergruen
If you’re interested in receiving The Xpress at your home, please contact Mrs. Kellie Wagner
for more information. [email protected]
1330 Elmhurst Drive NECedar Rapids, Iowa
319-368-6460www.mtmercy.edu
The values upon which the Sisters of Mercy founded this institution remain as relevant today as they were when we welcomed our first students more than 85 years ago. We remain dedicated to service, driven to leadership and grounded in the pursuit of knowledge.
It’s a legacy Mount Mercy University was born to uphold, a legacy we want you to be a part of.
Go to www.mtmercy.edu/visit today, to schedule a visit and see what Mount Mercy can offer you.
Be valued.
MONUEIR MOODIE ’16Major: MarketingMinor: EconomicsHometown: Westmoreland, Jamaica
Xavier High SchoolSports14
.
What is Morgan’s
favorite sports team?
Coach LillyMorgan’s Basketball Coach
Allison Jasper (‘15)Morgan’s Friend
Morgan Breitbach (‘15)
Who is Morgan’s
favorite athlete?
What is Morgan’s
favorite hobby?
What is Morgan’s
favorite movie?
What is Morgan’s
favorite food?
Iowa StateIowa StateIowa State
Points: 2 2 Possible Points 5
Students, faculty participate in road races around the Midwest
While the running season is over and a cold winter is approaching, fewer and fewer people are hitting the pavement outside. However, brave souls are finishing up the fall running season with some final races. Seniors Claire and Jeanne Bouchard recently ran a half marathon (13.1 miles). The Bouchards decided to run the race as a family after being asked by their older sister Coleen (X10). The family trained three to four times a week to increase their mileage. However, come race day, Coleen was not able to run because of a previous injury. Claire, Jeanne, and their mom still went through with the race. The race was on November 8 in Indianola, Iowa. The goal was to simply finish the race, but Jeanne and Claire did well, running the race in 2 hours and 24 minutes and 2 hours and 22 minutes respectively.
“I thought it was easy,” Claire said. “I got an energy boost around mile 10 and ran faster than before. It was easier than I expected. My goal was to finish and that’s what I did, so I was happy.” The Bouchards plan to run another half marathon either this spring or next fall.
Teachers and administration have led by example by running half marathons and marathons.
Mrs. Erica Kearns most recently ran a half marathon in the Twin Cities last week. Ms. Angela Olson runs the Minneapolis Marathon yearly. Her best time was 3 hours and 21 minutes. If you take that time and average it out between all 26.2 miles, her average time was 7 minutes and 40 seconds per mile.
“I like the challenge of the race and the goal of trying to improve my time,” Ms. Olson said. Running around 18 marathons so far, she is a dedicated runner.
Whether running a 5K or a marathon, Saints have inspired one another to participate in these events.
Luke KoechnerSports Writer
Senior players finish off successful season, careers
With only a few leaves left on the most resilient trees, it has come to the time of year when all fall sports are wrapping up their final playoff games. For the Xavier volleyball team, last Tuesday marked the end of the season as well as the successful high school careers of the 2015 senior class. After a summer spent training and preparing for the season, the Saints played 37 games in the last three months, notching a record of 18-19 overall, 3-5 in the conference, and highlighted by a decisive 3-0 first round victory over Fairfield.
Whether they are playing next year in college, one of the seven underclassmen who recorded a stat on varsity, or moving on to the next phase of their lives, they have each earned a few days off. While they will surely miss competing
with their teammates on a nightly basis, the memories of what they accomplished together as a team will stay with them for years to come.
“My favorite memories would have to be going to state as a sophomore and our annual team summer camp in Nebraska the last three years,” senior Madsy Richards said. “It was an amazing experience.”
Senior Kayla Torson led the team in kills with 323 of the team’s 778 (42%), followed by Madsy Richards and freshman Charlotte Richards who racked up 194 (25%) and 110 (14%) respectively. Also notably, Torson crossed the 1,200 career kills mark this season.
“My best advice for the returning players next year is don’t take your time for granted,” Torson said. “Realize how special this opportunity is, and make the most of it.”
Freshmen Ellie McDermott and Charlotte Richards, along with the rest of the Saints volleyball program, will look to do just that in the years to come.
Ryan WilliamsSports Writer
King James Kayla Torson Kayla Torson
Reading a good
book
Arguing Basketball
Hoosiers The Lion King A Few Good Men
Spaghetti Gluten free pretzels Spaghetti
The Saints huddle before a match this season. Ingrid Husby photo.
Who knows Morgan best?
Mrs. Bouchard, Jeanne, and Claire Bouchard (left to right) beam after their race. Photo submitted.
November 13, 2014 Sports 15
Construction Materials, Inc.Dick Galligan
345-49th Avenue Dr. S.W.Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
(319)-366-6446(800) 747-6401
Road to the dome continues Dickes, Culpepper take on stateThe Saints football team
has overcome injury and tough competition in the 3A playoffs. The Saints won the division and were rewarded with home field advantage.
“Either way we would’ve gotten the job done, but home field advantage is nice,” junior linebacker Bryce Charipar said.
The Saints played Charles City in the first round of the 3A playoffs. They beat Charles City 35-6 on October 29.
In the second round of the 3A playoffs, Xavier played 8-3 Waverly-Shell Rock in a tough game, but the Saints prevailed with a 33-20 victory.
Waverly-Shell Rock took a toll on the Saints by injuring multiple players. Senior running back Jay Kortmeyer a had a season ending injury when he broke a rib and ruptured his spleen, which caused internal bleeding. He averaged 5.5 yards per carry, has 1,174 rushing yards, and has
seven touchdowns on the year. Senior full back and linebacker Nic Ekland fractured his fibula. He was a threat on both offense and defense with 289 rushing yards and 28 tackles on the year.
With two key players on the sideline with injuries, the Saints played 10-2 West Delaware Manchester in the third round of the 3A playoffs. They had to dig deep into the roster to fill the vacant positions. The team fought hard to contain West Delaware quarterback Brent Lammers, but they defeated West Delaware 27-17 on November 3.
Xavier plays 12-0 Pella in the 3A semifinal at the UNI Dome on November 13.
Grant GibneySports Writer
The cross country season wrapped up on November 1 at the state meet held in Fort Dodge. Juniors Steven Culpepper and Jenny Dickes represented the Saints by qualifying as individuals. Both runners had to battle the elements including gusty winds and cold temperatures. Culpepper placed 97th with a time of 18:17.2 in 3.2 miles. Dickes crossed the finish line 29th with a time of 15:50.5 in 2.5 miles.
“I don’t want to blame the cold weather, but I also know I don’t run very well in cold temperatures,” Dickes said. “State wasn’t my best race, but I’m still happy about getting to run at it.”
This was Dickes’ second state meet in her high school career. The girls’ cross country team qualified last year as a team and finished 12th in the state competition. She was the top runner for Xavier finishing with a time of 15:27.0.
Both runners are looking forward to next years’ team.
Led by Dickes, the girls’ have many returning varsity runners, including sophomores Emiko Coffey and Kiana Stanek.
“Next season my goal is for the whole team to qualify for state,” Dickes said. “I also want to finish in a better place individually.”
This was also Culpepper’s second state appearance in his high school career. As a freshman, the boys’ cross country team qualified as a team. In 2012, Culpepper finished 74th for the Saints with a time of 17:25.15.
The boys’ cross country team is returning many top runners, including Culpepper, junior Jonathon Francois, and sophomore Nick Koechner.
“My goal for next year is to get the team together over the summer and run so we can all make it to state and have a chance to win state,” Culpepper said. “We have the talent. We just need to put in the miles over the summer.”
Winker commits to Missouri Western University
K.J. GilesAssistant Sports Editor
With the leaves falling off trees and temperatures dropping to frigid levels, a transition phase has begun all around the state of Iowa. Fall sports are entering their final phases and winter sports are right around the corner. While senior basketball player Calvin Winker has no control over the change of climate, his performance on the court has allowed him to control his own destiny as he prepares for the transition from high school to college athletics. On October 28, Winker committed to Missouri Western University to play basketball for the Griffons. He is extremely excited for the opportunity to continue his career beyond high school.
“The coaches and players are great and the facilities are incredible,” Winker said. “The Kansas City Chiefs built a huge
indoor football dome with training and workout buildings for Missouri Western athletes to use. My sister is also less than two hours away from there, so she will be
able to come to all my games.”Winker was Xavier’s second
leading scorer, averaging 13 points and five rebounds per game last season. Listed at 6-foot-5, he primarily plays the forward position. His ability to play in the post and beyond the arc has been a key component to the Saints’ success over the last few seasons under Coach Ryan Luehrsmann. After a disappointing loss to Dubuque Wahlert last winter in the substate final, Winker and University of North Dakota committed Adam McDermott are hungry for revenge.
“We were eight points short from state last year, and nothing is going to stop us,” Winker said. “Wells Fargo is our goal this year, and we will do everything we can to get there.”
Upending the state champion Golden Eagles from Dubuque Wahlert will be no easy task. With
6-foot-7 forward Cordell Pemsl returning for his junior season, the Saints will have their hands full. Pemsl committed to the University of Iowa for basketball last spring.
Along with Winker and McDermott, junior guard Mitchell Burger looks to continue being a valuable asset for the team this season. New teammate and senior Michael Mims will also be a key component in the backcourt, averaging 13.7 points per game last season.
If the Saints are able to develop consistent team chemistry and unselfish play, the dream of playing at Wells Fargo Arena could become a reality.
Daniel RichardsonSports Writer
Senior Calvin Winker makes a layup during a game last season. Amanda Wymore photo.
16 Backpage
Page D
esig
n By
: Jess
ica
Fens
ke a
nd E
llie
Det
weiler. Info: Anna Christianson, iClipart.
I am
ext
rem
ely
than
kful
for M
r. Fa
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l bec
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he
is a
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teac
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Hes
s ‘1
8
I’m th
ankfu
l for m
y
frien
ds bec
ause
they ar
e supporti
ve,
enco
uraging, a
nd they
don’t stea
l my m
oney.
-Grac
e Mille
r ‘18
Family, because they
are always there for
me and can always
make me smile.
-McKenna Lloyd ‘16
November 13, 2014
Last
Wee
k’s
Pum
pkin
Win
ner!
-Mr.
Irela
ndM
arke
ting
Dire
ctor
I am really thankful
for my school that
surrounds me with my faith.
-Jennifer Sigmon ‘15
I am th
ankfu
l for m
y
family
and al
l of m
y
close
frien
ds.
-Gab
e Smith
‘16
I’m th
ankf
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r my
cat,
Anni
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ecau
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she
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.
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What a
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