November 2011St. Pius X High School Volume 61 Issue #3

the

“If you are what you should be, you will set the world ablaze...”

The volleyball team beat St. Agnes to capture the district championship for the second year in a row end-ing their district season 9-1. In Bi-district play-offs, the Lady Panthers sailed over San Antonio Providence and was finally fell to the Bishop Lynch Friars in Waco on Saturday, October 29—ending their playoff journey.

This year, the St. Pius X volleyball team faced plenty adversity throughout their season, but ended success-fully with a district record of 9-1 and 16-14 over-all.

“While last season we had a fantastic record and were our competitors’ biggest fear, this season our focus was to rebuild our team and become stronger players,” team captain, Briana Reid stated.

Although the season started with several defeats, not all hope was gone as the Lady Panthers turned their season around by defeating Channelview High School. This game led the Lady Panthers to believing in themselves and working towards a championship.

The team fought though one victory to the next as they arose from a 3-14 record early in the season to 9-1 in district. They captured the district championship for the second year in a row by defeating St. Agnes Academy and securing their bid in play-offs. The Lady Panthers entered the 2011 play-off season crushing San Antonio Providence in the first round.

“Although the intense battle against Bishop Lynch for the state championship resulted in a loss, we walked off the court knowing we fought a long battle and at the end, we came together as a team and overcame our ad-versity which hovered over our heads all season. It was a season I’ll never forget.” team captain, Briana sated.

Briana Reid is signing with the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga for the fall of 2012.

Volleyball Team Captures District Campionship!

Pictured left to right: Halle Finkley ‘11, Vincent King ‘11, Stephanie Lamotta ‘11 Jessica Hand ‘12, Allison Shely ‘11, Vy Nguyen ‘12, Tim Wood and Carah Nunez ‘11 (not pictured).

On Friday, October 28, 2011, several Latin III students were inducted to the Latin National Honor Society (LNHS), these students are required to have over a B average for 3 years in order to be accepted in the LNHS. The Latin National Honor Society is an organization founded by Albert Warsley in 1926. St. Pius would become a part of this organization in 1959 and become part of chapter (XCVII or 97). Latin club advisor Mr. Wood stated, “We found the charter this year in the archives. So they gave it to me and I looked it up…they’re still in existence so I thought we could revive it.”

By Ariel Gonzales

Latin National Honors Society Revived

By Ariel Gonzales

NHS: Run With the Saints

On Saturday, November 5th the St. Pius X National Honor Society (NHS) was involved in the John Paul II Run with the Saints. The NHS volunteers were there to help an alumni Liz Carlile ’05 sister of Susie Carlile. Run with the Saints is held in memory of Lauren Lock-ard a student who lost her battle against cancer back in 1999. Some of the proceeds go to The Childhood Brain Tumor Foundation, while the other half goes to John Paul II Catholic School.

Run with the Saints is a 5K run through the neighbor-hood streets around John Paul I. There was also a 1K

run for little kids, so they could show their support for the foundation. The National Honor Society volunteers helped in lots of different aspects of the event, such as cheering on the runner, greeting them at the door, playing games with the little kids after their run was over, and giving the runners water while they ran. The National Honor Society was pleased that they could be a part of this event and help out with this great cause.

Picture taken by Ariel Gonzales

Score BoxFootball

Varsity: 4-3 Over-AllJunior Varsity: 1-1 Over-AllFreshmen: 4-0 Over-All

VolleyballVarsity: 8-0 DistrictJunior Varisty: 7- 1DistrictFreshmen: 7-1

Please report all scores or corrections to Desomond Taylor taylore@stpiusx.org or Julia Armstrong armstrongj@stpiusx.org.

By Desmond Taylor

the

by Lorenzo Moellendorf

After Halloween comes a joyous, yet reverent, holi-day known as All Saints Day. On this day, we observe those who have died that are yet to be canonized by the church. The saints of God come in every shape, size, age and color; though different, they all shared the same task of helping to announce the dominion of God. After that holiday comes the day known as All Souls Day, a day in which we pray for all those who have passed before us.

So, with honor St. Pius X celbrates these people on two special days. First, here is a brief history of these two special days.

The first All Saints Day took place on May 13, 609 which had been founded by Pope Boniface IV. On that day, he had blessed a temple that had been dedicated the Virgin Mary and all the martyrs of the world. It would be in 844 that Pope Gregory IV would reschedule the holiday to the date we now celebrate All Saints Day; the 1st of November.

The following day is a sacred holiday in which Catho-lics around the world celebrate All Souls Day. All Souls Day is a day of cheerful festivities that is dedicated to the dearly departed. The United States is not the only country that rejoices on all Souls Day; all across the world people come to celebrate the goodness of the holiday in different ways. Mexico, Spain, and Portugal look to the holiday as being the first day in the series of festive days known as The Days of the Innocents, or the Day of the Dead. In countries such as France, Italy, and Austria, people bring flowers to the graves of their de-ceased loved-ones. In the Mediterranean, many people celebrating the holiday create shrines for the dead.

Christians of the world should never forget about their Catholic traditions, especially the days that are dedi-cated to all saints and souls. Such a time of the year should be remembered by all; in memory of all those that stood for God, and in the memory of all those deceased.

All Saints Day Celebration: A Time for Reflection and Gratitude

Picture taken by Desmond Taylor

By Lorenzo Moellendorf

St. Pius X students have much to be grateful for, espe-cially for the blessing of the ability to give. On No-vember, 7th Student Council kicked off its 20th annual canned food drive.

For the last 20 years, the members of the St. Pius X

body and staff have had the ability to demonstrate their panther pride by helping to save starving fami-lies from going hungr. Whether it is the occasional can of fruit, beans, or soup, the school contributes to an undying cause that has plagued the United States for years.

Mrs. Schattle, Modern World History teacher and Student Council facilitator, said that the school donates food to different organizations and churches every year, “We have given to St. Anne’s Church in Tomball, Casa Juan Diego, St. Rose, Assumption, and St. Matthew’s Church, just to name a few..”

According to Coleman Jensen, the fall of the United State’s economy has contributed the most to the

20th Annual STCO Canned Food Driveincrease in starving families. “Three years after the fi-nancial and economic crisis began; hunger still remains high in the United States, according to the most recent government report released in September 2011”.

As it looks, the battle to end hunger will continue to be waged throughout the United States, and it will take great effort from all of us if we wish to make a change. By taking a glance at St. Pius X, anyone can see what it truly takes to make a difference through the dedication of the students, teachers, and faculty.

“We will continue to help those less fortunate than we are, and hopefully, even after we have retired and the students have all graduated, the Food Drive will con-tinue to press on,” Schattle said.

On Wednesday, November 9, three student-athletes committed to their academic and athletic endeavors at the collegiate level. These seniors included:

Trey Guidry- University of San Diego, Basketball

Kyle Kirk- University of Houston, Baseball

Briana Reid- University of Tennessee Chattanooga, Volleyball

The SPX community is proud of each of these in-dividuals and their commitment to their respective studies as well as athletic success.

Three SPX Seniors Participate in National Signing DayBy Lorenzo Moellendorf

Ever since then, it has been Catholic tradition that we celebrate All Saints Day as the holy day of those who have yet to be canonized by the church.