A whopping three writers from The Eye, Saint Ignatius’ school newspaper, were selected as winners of the Plain Dealer’s “Reporter for a Day” essay contest. Joseph Ginley ’12, Gregory Ziton ’13, and Dominic Gideon ’14 will be attending the the division-leading Cleveland Indians’ May 10th game versus the Tampa Ray Devil Rays. Prior to the game, they will have an opportunity to sit in on manager Manny Acta’s daily media briefing, interview Cleveland Indians’ players and coaches in a press conference, and receive advice and guidance from Plain Dealer sports writers.
Black History Month is a month set aside to learn, honor, and celebrate the achievements of black men and women throughout history.
The origins of Black History Month can be traced back to a man named Carter G. Woodson (1875-1950). Woodson, the son of former slaves, was an amazing man in his own right. He taught himself the basics of a school education; he earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree from the University of Chicago and a doctorate from Harvard University.
In 1915, he participated in a three-week celebration of the 50th anniversary of the end of slavery. There he was inspired to continue the study of black history year-round. With four others he created the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH).
Woodson realized that most textbooks at the time ignored the history and achievements of blacks. He wanted to find a way to encourage interest and study of black history. In 1926, Woodson promoted the idea of a “Negro History Week”. The idea caught on quickly and Negro History Week was soon celebrated around the United States.
In 1976, Black History Week was expanded to Black History Month. February was chosen to celebrate Negro History Week because that week included the birthdays of two important men: President Abraham Lincoln (February 12) and Frederick Douglass (February 14).
Since its inception in 1926, Negro History Week and Black History Month have been given annual themes. The first annual theme was simply, “The Negro in History,” this year’s theme is African Americans and the Civil War.
In honor of the efforts of people of African descent to destroy slavery and inaugurate universal freedom in the United States, the Association for the Study of African American Life and History has selected “African Americans and the Civil War” as the 2011 Black History Theme.
We urge all Americans to study and reflect on the value of their contributions to the nation.
In 1956, the membership of the Barkley Forum decided to host a tournament for high school debaters. Inviting high schools to debate on the Emory campus provided an opportunity for the students of the university to offer excellent debate competition and judging for high school students. The goal of honoring high school students and their teachers for their commitment to forensics achievement remains the defining purpose of the Barkley Forum for High Schools. Some fundamental concepts that support forensic excellence remain constant, and the Barkley Forum seeks to honor these traditions. Commitment to pedagogy, dedication to achievement, and respect for the efforts of others define characteristics of a quality forensics education.
Each year, over a thousand students, teachers, school administrators, and college coaches descend on the Emory University campus from 35 states to engage in a variety of forensic events from Dramatic Intepretation to Congressional Debate to Policy Debate. The schedule honors high school teachers for their commitment and dedication at the Key Awards Assembly. The Barkley Forum remains one of the most prestigious events in high school forensic competition, annually receiving hundreds more applicants than space allows entry. The last day of the tournament features a series of exhibitions of the various forensic arts performed in packed auditoriums on the Emory campus. This day culminates in the Procession of the Keys, the Hall of Champions Debate, and the Final Awards Assembly. http://www.emory.edu/BF/hs.php
This year the debate team of Jonathan Dokler ’11 and Cameron Colella ’12 were selected to participate in the Pelham Debates with 127 other teams from more than 35 states. Daniel Counihan ’13 attended as an alternate. The competition began on Friday afternoon with three rounds followed on Saturday with another three rounds. Unfortunately for Jon and Cameron, their record of 3-3, having lost to teams with national champions, was not enough to get them into the trophy rounds. However, simply being invited to attend because of your previous winning records at the University of Michigan, the University of Kentucky, Montgomery Bell Academy and Georgetown Day School leaves us all proud of their achievement.
At the end of the day and before returning to Saint Ignatius the boys and Mr. Buzzelli visited the final resting place of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and his wife Coretta Scott King to pay their respects to those who sacrificed so much in the front lines of fighting for freedom and social justice.
As I began to slow down, I looked to the huge Native American standing tall as if he were guarding Carnegie Bridge. I stopped momentarily to try to catch my breath. Then I continued to run, knowing it would be over soon. That was my first Bridge run, my first 5-kilometer run, and my first crew practice. No warm fuzzy welcome for us, just a command. Run! I had heard rumors that it would be like this: difficult. Next practice, I looked around and noticed that there was a significant drop in the number of people attending. I later learned that we lost around 11 people within the first few days.
As the days passed, I began to learn names and personalities. I didn’t know it then but these teammates of mine would grow to be my new family. My brothers.
We novices ran to practice every day and did it like we did everything else, together. The running boards made sure of that. These are planks of wood roped together with handles on them that we would hold as we ran down to the real practice. When we get to the boathouse, we go through the daily routine. Each practice brought new challenges. It became very clear that nothing came for free. We had to work for everything. There is really no luck in crew and that is why it is so different than anything else that I have ever done. There is no chance of success if you don’t work for it. Revco’s Bridge Runs, Wildcat Warm-ups; these terms became part of our vocabulary, and part of our plan for success.
None of us really knew what to expect for the first regatta. It was an incredible experience, and we saw first-hand the results of our work. Our freshman 8’s claimed gold and bronze. The more memorable of these first races was at St. Mary’s in Michigan. We had rowed in the cold and in the rain before, but nothing like this. The sleet and rain were so blinding the officials were even thinking of calling it off, but we rowed on. When we came off the water we were all completely drenched and freezing, but this was just another moment that brought us closer together.
photo by Keith Mokris
Now its winter, and with that comes frozen water, 5:45am practices, and stairs. There are 6 floors of them. Waking up that early isn’t that bad, until you realize you have an entire school day ahead of you. I would be lying if I said I never dozed off during that first week. You get used to them though, or at least as used to getting up at 4:30 as possible. But in just a month or two, we will be back to normal, back to the boathouse, rowing once again. Remember, above all, \”The Glory is in the Team”
Twenty students enjoyed a skiing and boarding weekend over the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. For Mr. Buzzelli and students at Saint Ignatius, this has been a traditional way to end the first semester classes for more than twenty seasons: skiing at Whiteface Mountain in Saranac, New York.
Whiteface Mountain is the fifth-highest mountain in New York State, and one of the High Peaks of the Adirondack Mountains. Set apart from most of the other High Peaks, the summit offers a 360-degree view featuring the Adirondacks and perhaps on a clear day glimpses of Vermont and even Canada. The skyscrapers of Montreal, 80 miles away, can be seen on a very clear day. Located in the town of Wilmington (about 13 miles (21 km) from Lake Placid) the mountain is home to a ski area with the highest vertical drop in the eastern United States (3430 feet, or 1,045 m). Part of the post World War II growth in recreational skiing attributed to the efforts of returning veterans of the Army’s 10th Mountain Division, Whiteface also hosted the alpine skiing competition of the 1980 Winter Olympics. Unique among the High Peaks, Whiteface features a developed summit and seasonal accessibility by motor vehicle. Whiteface Memorial Highway reaches a parking area at an elevation of 4600 feet, with the remaining 267 feet being obtained by tunnel and elevator. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whiteface_Mountain
A quarter century after it hosted the Olympics, Lake Placid is still all about winter games. Race down the ice chute feet first on a luge sled and [olympic] try not to stretch your toes to save that extra .001 of a second on the clock…try not to push just a little harder as you ski into the cross country finish stadium…try not to put a little extra lean into the arena turn under the lights at the speedskating oval…look down the in-run of the 120-meter ski jump and…well, let’s not go overboard here! You get the picture. This is not your average ski town. Welcome to Lake Placid, the surprisingly unspoiled and quiet village that has been host to two Winter Olympics, 1932 and 1980, and the 2000 Winter Goodwill Games. The memories these stir, combined with lots of ongoing outdoor activities and events, set Lake Placid apart as a winter sports mecca.
photos by Connor Lough '13
As you drive past the dramatic Olympic jumps, just south of the village, you’ll know this isn’t an ordinary winter vacation spot. The Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA) operates the multi-facility recreational area. More world-class winter sports athletes train and compete here than anywhere else in North America. The facilities also attract competitions in all of the Olympic winter sports, so athletes of all ages, nationalities, and abilities fill the town throughout the season, constantly refreshing the village’s Olympic atmosphere. Read more..
photos by Connor Lough '13
The Swiss Acres Inn has been more than accommodating to our young skiers and boarders. Family owned and operated, general manager Shanna Swem made our late arrival was smooth and stress free. Our rooms were ready, our lift tickets in place and a warm breakfast awaited our early wakeup. And as good as the hearty breakfast was, an equally satisfying dinner awaited us upon our return from the slopes at the end of the day.
Saturday evening’s entertainment was a walk through downtown Saranac, New York. Outdoor hockey, ice skating on the Olympic oval, or bowling at Bowlwinkles took quite a bit of energy after 8 hours of skiing and boarding. Of course there was also the opportunity to see where the “Miracle on Ice” took place in 1980.
So after a few hours of sleep, breakfast and Sunday Mass at St. Agnes, off to the slopes for another 8 hours of skiing and boarding!
photos by Connor Lough '13
And so the trip ends with a shower and dinner at the lodge and several movies on the bus with few students awake to enjoy them. Parents await the 5:15 AM arrival back in the land of Cleveland.
photos by Connor Lough '13photos by Connor Lough '13
Below is a picture of something that can be spotted on campus. Send an email to eye@ignatius.edu indicating where. All correct entries will be entered in a drawing to win free chicken patties for the month of February
Entries must be received by 1/18/2010. Sorry Mr. Hess, but students only. Eye staff, forget it.
\”I honestly cannot attend school today because, while it might be fine and dandy up around St Iggy’s, down in my area it is still snowing bricks sideways and the roads are made entirely of fiery, awful accidents. So, if you could tell me what’s up in the classes we’d have together today, that’d be great!”
attending the the division-leading Cleveland Indians’ May 10th game versus the Tampa Ray Devil Rays. Prior to the game, they will have an opportunity to sit in on manager Manny Acta’s daily media briefing, interview Cleveland Indians’ players and coaches in a press conference, and receive advice and guidance from Plain Dealer sports writers.
In 1956, the membership of the Barkley Forum decided to host a tournament for high school debaters. Inviting high schools to debate on the Emory campus provided an opportunity for the students of the university to offer excellent debate competition and judging for high school students. The goal of honoring high school students and their teachers for their commitment to forensics achievement remains the defining purpose of the Barkley Forum for High Schools. Some fundamental concepts that support forensic excellence remain constant, and the Barkley Forum seeks to honor these traditions. Commitment to pedagogy, dedication to achievement, and respect for the efforts of others define characteristics of a quality forensics education.
At the end of the day and before returning to Saint Ignatius the boys and Mr. Buzzelli visited the final resting place of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and his wife Coretta Scott King to pay their respects to those who sacrificed so much in the front lines of fighting for freedom and social justice.
\”I honestly cannot attend school today because, while it might be fine and dandy up around St Iggy’s, down in my area it is still snowing bricks sideways and the roads are made entirely of fiery, awful accidents. So, if you could tell me what’s up in the classes we’d have together today, that’d be great!”
Across