by John Dorow ‘15
2013 was a memorable year for Saint Ignatius High School marked no less by what is gone then what is new. This was the year of the logo controversy, Wifi-Gate, the Class Competition, the summer reading overhaul and the new rugby team, a year crammed with change. We elected President Zupan, beat Ed’s, and brought in the largest freshman class in history.
In the realm of athletics, 2013 was no exception to the consistent strength of the Wildcats. They regularly managed to place among the highest ranked teams in the state. The biggest sporting event of the year, the Ed’s vs. Ignatius football game, ended with a big “W” for the Wildcats, while the soccer ‘Cat’s season came to a heartbreaking end with a loss to the Eagles on a penalty kick in the district finals. 2013 also saw the introduction of rugby as a varsity sport. This was no “rebuilding year” – Wildcat athletics remained strong as ever.
In May, Saint Ignatius experienced the inaugural class competition day, the culmination of the year-long game. The brainchild of Mr. Hess and Student Senate, the class competition day was filled with a myriad of activities ranging from Seinfeld Trivia to teacher impersonations. And it received overwhelming praise from students.
“It was a great way to wind down the year with a great field day, and I look forward to it in 2014,” said Connor Schumacher ’15.
Over in the Breen Center, a production of The Wizard of Oz graced the stage in the spring as the traditional spring musical, while this fall witnessed the production of the comedic play The Foreigner. Both productions were highly favored by students, faculty, and other guests alike.
But the year was not free from conflict, as the Wifi-Gate saga reached its inevitable conclusion. Some students had been illicitly using the faculty network for better wi-fi. Mrs. Streen, who spearheaded the BYOT program, publicly reprimanded offenders and took penal measures. As a result, there was a noticeable backlash by many students, with many claiming that Mrs. Streen overreacted.
“The threat of expulsion made what was already a laughable offense comic,” said Sami Petros ‘14. ‘“Nobody was going to get kicked out for wanting to check their Facebook at school and I think we knew that.”
This summer, students experienced a new variant of the infamous practice of summer reading. In previous years, students were required to read pre-chosen books; however, with Mr. Bradesca at the helm, students were permitted to choose a book and then would discuss it with small groups.
“I probably didn’t have to read the book, but I did,” said Tyler Delhees ’14, who said he enjoyed the free-wheeling discussion in his book group with Mr. Buzzelli.
At the end of the 2012-2013 school year, Saint Ignatius once again said goodbye to a group of old friends. A few staff members left Saint Ignatius along with the graduating senior class, who, with the help of the college counseling, matriculated to their respective colleges.
Despite losing some familiar faces, in August at the Mass of the Holy Spirit St. Ignatius welcomed the class of 2017 and new faculty members, such as Mr. Masterson and Miss Rose
After one year at the helm of the school, Mr. Bradesca says he thinks he can call the year a success.
“I miss the classroom, but the challenges of this new job are equally rewarding,” Bradesca said. “My first full year as Principal was an eye-opening, rewarding experience.”
