Have you ever wanted to just create a world of your own? A world where every minute detail was in your control. For the Model Railroaders, that is something they do every day. Meet the members who put together the club’s first layout and the story behind it!
Video by Nathan Kuczmarski ’22
By Tyler Ove ’22
Last weekend, February 19-21, the Saint Ignatius Model United Nations (MUN) team attended the University of Michigan’s 34th annual conference, MUNUM XXXIV. This conference has been a staple of the Wildcats’ spring schedule for years, with the exception of 2020. Surely Michigan could not forget Saint Ignatius’ presence from years past; Saint Ignatius has long strived to be a luminary of peace, cleverness, cooperation, strength, and diplomacy in national MUN competitions. Although the Wolverines bested the Buckeyes in basketball the same weekend, MUN was far less disappointing. The Wildcats dominated competition from all over the country, though many of the teams hailed from the Midwest. Finishing third overall in terms of awards, Saint Ignatius brought home another podium finish back to Ohio City, the MUNUM XXXIV standings as below:
Committee topics were expansive, only a few listed: hindering smugglers and falsified
medicine trading in the UNODC, stabilizing Japan’s 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami in the JRA, and flourishing within the political depths of China’s Tang Dynasty. Through these intricate and ambiguous issues, the Wildcats achieved a total of 9 individual awards from 30 total delegates, summing towards their 3rd straight podium finish in the 2020-21 season. The awards winners are listed below hierarchically (for all awards see https://www.munum.org/conference-handbook-1):
Best Delegate
Brendan Oliss ‘21 – United Nations Office On Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
Outstanding Delegate
Tyler Ove ‘22 – Japanese Reconstruction Agency 2011 (JRA)
Evan Johnston ‘22 – South American Independence Movement
Honorable Mention
Ferenc Somogyi ‘21 – War of 1812: Canadian Cabinet
Fitz Lokiec ‘24 – Disarmament and International Security Committee (DISEC)
Verbal Commendation
Kenny Li ‘21 – African National Congress (NECANC)
Braeden Pentz ‘22 – United Nations General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS)
Rithvik Ayyagari ‘22 – Council of the Tang Dynasty
Tyler Craciun ‘24 – World Trade Organization (WTO)
Sohan Shah ’22, Sean Poland ’21, and Brendan Oliss ’21 working together to prevent drug trafficking in the UNODC
For his first-ever award, Evan Johnston ‘22 hurdled onto the scene with a game-changing Outstanding Delegate, a second-place award for all those unaware. This saved the Wildcats from a possible 5th or 6th place finish. Using sneaky, undetected, and underwhelming tactics, he went unrecognized by his competitors in the Committee of South American Independence until it was too late: “While the rest of the delegates did very well, I think I maximized the opportunities specific to crisis committees. I was able to obtain information, assess situations quickly, use my knowledge of the history of the time period, and create good working relationships with other people. Ultimately, strategic thinking and the element of surprise worked to my advantage.” While this will be his last regular-season conference of the year, he may be selected for the annual University of Chicago conference, in the event that Saint Ignatius attends. Either way, he is excited for what the next year may hold: “Although I really enjoyed this last virtual conference, I am looking forward to in-person conferences with filled rosters next year. I think we have a really strong team this year, and I am excited to work with the new guys and some old friends next year.”
The Diplocats, concerned with a possible down-year due to COVID’s effects on extracurricular participation, managed to stay upright through February. Next season, the team looks to regain and exceed the usual roster number of 45 delegates, returning to college campus field trips rather than the library. Still, do not assume the Diplocats are satisfied with bronze; gold is sitting idly for the taking at Michigan State. MSUMUN XX remains the Diplocats’ final regular-season test from March 26-28, before looking ahead to 2021 recruiting. For the time being, the team will continue meeting Tuesdays at 3:30 in SC102. Go Cats!
See the other 2020-21 conference recaps below:
Mentor V | https://www.saintignatiuseye.org/2020/11/17/model-un-finishes-first-at-mentor-v/
William & Mary XXXIV | https://www.saintignatiuseye.org/2020/11/22/model-un-places-third-at-william-mary-xxxiv/
By Tim Putka ’22
The Mat Cats geared up for Senior Night on Saturday in Sullivan Gym. This would mark the final match of the regular season and the last regular season match of the six seniors Calum Campoletti, Jack Bush, Anthony Santagata, Carter Zimmerman, Andrew Chime, and Grayson McLellan’s career, as they looked to cap their careers with wins.
Wrestling began at 6 p.m. against the Strongsville Stallions, following wrestling from the youth program, JV matches, and the senior night festivities.
As usual, the match kicked off at 106, and sophomore Mac Wright stepped out onto the mat to attempt to get the Cats going. Wright looked a little overmatched in the contest, as he was taken down quickly at the start of the first period and pinned soon after in 1:18.
Senior Grayson McLellan, ranked #7 coming into this match at 113, looked to earn the first senior victory. McLellan did just that in this match, completely dominating his opponent and living up to his high rank.
McLellan earned a takedown in seconds, immediately followed with two near-fall points. After riding his opponent out for a short time, McLellan put his Strongsville opponent on his back and got the pin in 55 seconds.
Next up at 120 was junior Joey Novak, who looked to keep the momentum established by Grayson rolling, and he did just that. Novak was able to take his opponent quickly and swiftly secured the fall for the Cats in 1:07.
Animal, also known as Ryan Putka, squared off with a tough-ranked Strongsville opponent at 126. The first period was all in favor of the Stallions, as Putka’s opponent earned an early takedown and three near-fall points. Putka started on top in the second but was reversed and surrendered two more near-fall points. Putka got two points back in the second with a reversal. In the third, Animal chose bottom and was able to escape, but was taken down soon after and was ridden the rest of the period to fall via significant decision 11-3.
Senior Captain Anthony Santagata was the second senior of the night to step onto the mat and kept the immaculate night for the seniors going. Santagata earned two takedowns in the first, giving up only one escape. In the second period, Santagata was on top and made two near-fall points before his opponent escaped, but he would take his opponent down again and finish the period on top. Santagata capped his stellar performance in the third with a reversal and three near-fall points, earning him the second senior win of the night and a significant decision by a score of 13-2.
The seniors’ dominance on their special night continued with Jack Bush at 138, as he wasted little time taking his opponent down in the first period and earning a pin in 49 seconds.
The night’s precise match came at 145, which saw Senior Calum Campoletti attempting to keep the seniors perfect against a tough-ranked Stallion opponent. The match overwhelmingly fell in favor of Strongsville at the start, as Campoletti was taken down and surrendered two near-fall points in the first. However, the tides turned in the second as Campoletti and his opponent traded reversals before his opponent escaped. In a defining moment of the season, Campoletti sent Sullivan Gym into a frenzy, as down 7-4, Campoletti hit his signature move, the gator roll, and secured the emphatic win with a fall in 2:50.
At 152 for the Cats, Sam Infante kept the Cats rolling with an early takedown followed by a swift pin in 1:07.
Second-year wrestler Victor Vyotskiy stepped out onto the mat for the Cats at 160, and inexperience hurt him in this match. Vyotskiy started well initially, earning two takedowns while giving up an escape and a reversal in the same period. In the second, however, jumping on top, Victor gave up an escape and a takedown before succumbing to a pin in 2:27 after a hard-fought battle.
Up next for the Cats was sophomore Jarell Young at 170. Jarell got the Cats back on track with an early takedown and a swift pin in 1:36.
Junior Mason Smart squared off with the Stallions at 182 and started the match like he was shot out of a cannon, earning a takedown and three near-fall points in the first period. However, after electing to go down in the second, Smart could not escape and was pinned in 3:27.
The Cats kept rolling at 195, as junior Patrick Clink showed up dominantly. Clink started the match with a takedown and three near-fall points before surrendering an escape. After this escape, Clink threw his opponent to his back and secured a 53-second pin.
Cayden Periandri suited up for the Cats in the penultimate match of the night for the Cats. The first period of this contest was fruitless, but Periandri was able to make a breakthrough in the second, earning a quick reversal before putting his opponent to his back and securing a pin for the Cats in 3:25.
The last match of the 2020-2021 regular season fell into Angelo Camargo’s hands at 285. Like the previous match of Periandri, the first period was scoreless other than Camargo earning a penalty point. However, in the second, Camargo also had a breakthrough, making an escape, a takedown, and eventually a pin in 3:20.
With that match, the team score settled out to 58-22 in favor of the Cats, giving the Cats their 18th win of the season, setting their final record at 18-3.
The seniors delivered perfectly on their special night, as those that wrestled went 4-0 in their matches.
Speaking for all of the parents, coaches, and wrestlers on this team, I want to personally thank this year’s seniors for everything they’ve done. Bush, Zim, Grayson, Santagata, and Campoletti, thank you all for what you’ve done for the team this year. Zim and Santa, thank you for leading the team. I know it wasn’t always easy, and it was hard to keep things serious this year. Still, from one captain’s eyes to two others, you guys did a fantastic job this year and helped everyone in the room grow into better wrestlers and better men. Grayson, Campo, and Bush; thank you guys for keeping the atmosphere of the room so special. You guys brought laughs, jokes, and fun to the room every day, and I know, especially for me, this helped me through the hard times I’ve gone through, and I know for a fact everyone else in the room feels the same. You guys were the main reason why this team was so special this year, and I hope you all will always remember the memories we made. I wish you all the best of luck as you move on to college, and I want you to know that I genuinely love all of you as brothers. Thank you.
With the regular season ended, the Cats now move on to the postseason. They travel to Strongsville High School for the sectional tournament this Saturday, the 27th. There will be split sessions for the sectional tournament, with 106-145 wrestling beginning at 9 a.m. and 152-285 beginning at 4:00 p.m. Information about streaming matches will be communicated soon. No spectators besides the parents of wrestlers will be allowed.
The Cats will look to match their stellar sectional performance last year, as they sent all 13 wrestlers that they brought to sectionals to districts. Senior captain Carter Zimmerman believes they can, as he says, “I think this team has a lot of potential, and I think we’re going to make a lot of noise this weekend.” Good luck this weekend, men, and Go Cats!
By Owen Gerba ’21
The Wildcats continue the winning streak as they advance in the OHSAA Playoffs after a 10-0 win over The Brooklyn Hurricanes.
It has been a long time coming for Five Ice-Cats to get their first varsity goal in the win. Junior Kevin Mays fed fellow linemate, Senior Brian Strick for Strick’s first goal of the year. Kevin Mays also notched his first in period one. Junior Logan Rechin, who was called up early in the season, also got one in his first playoff game as a Saint Ignatius Wildcat.
“The playoffs are a bit different this year because there aren’t as many fans,” says Strick. “We used that to our advantage, as we were able to communicate better, and we got the win.
Sophomore Ben Nadzam and Junior Quinn Tabol found the back of the net one time each as they also got their first varsity goals. This was an all-around team win for the Cats as they advance to play an excellent Olmsted Falls team Thursday at 5:30 p.m. in round two. Olmsted Falls pulled off the upset to beat Holy Name and play the Cats at John M. Coyne Rec Center. Tune in to The SIBN for Live coverage of the game, Go Cats!
By Brian Keim ‘22
It is a tale as old as time: cat wants to eat mouse, mouse outsmarts cat. For over 80 years this story has been told over and over, taking the duo of Tom and Jerry to the strangest adventures out there, meeting classic characters such as Robin Hood, Willy Wonka, and even Sherlock Holmes. After so many adventures, it would be reasonable to ask where to take them next. Apparently, the answer is to a hotel for a predictable kids’ movie.
The main plot of the movie centers around the iconic duo and their hijinks at the Royal Gate Hotel, where new employee Kayla (who lied her way into her job) enlists the help of Tom to take care of a certain mouse in the hotel. As if this was not enough, the film decides to shoe in so many subplots that none of them have enough time to get the audience invested. Two celebrities plan for their wedding at the hotel, the bride has trouble communicating with her fiance, a hotel employee tries to catch Kayla in her lies, and Kayla falls in love with a hotel bartender; all these plots are thrown at the wall, and none of them really stick. They are not given enough time to be properly fleshed out, so when they are resolved in the end, nothing feels earned. The periods of “emotional conflict” are introduced and then solved within a few minutes.
However, nobody comes to Tom & Jerry for the plot. The hallmark of the franchise is its trademark humor. And this movie’s humor… has its moments. The classic slapstick is back and it works, period. Not all of it is laugh-out-loud hilarious, but most of it deserves a good chuckle and is reminiscent of the duo’s roots. Aside from that, however, very little lands. This movie was clearly made for young children, and the jokes are the most obvious indicator. The script is littered with pop culture references trying (and failing) to be “relatable”, poop jokes, and overall unfunny lines. Some of it works, though. Michael Peña plays Kayla’s manager and has a lot of great lines in the film, but even he comes with a couple of flops. The jokes overall are pretty hit-or-miss, with too many misses.
Overall, this movie was nothing special. It has many tropes of modern kids’ movies such as auto-tuned pop songs littered throughout, a celebrity cast to get parents interested, and references to modern trends. This movie is currently in theaters, and will be available on HBO Max from February 26 until March 26th. I watched it on HBO Max, and was thankful that I did not have to pay for a ticket. If you have a young sibling who wants some cartoons to watch for a while, this movie is a harmless distraction, but there is not a lot here for anyone older (and that’s coming from a 17-year-old who watches Phineas and Ferb on a regular basis).
5/10- unremarkable, but has its moments.
By Terry McCafferty ’22
On the morning of Thursday, February 25th, a small fire in the basement of the Saint Ignatius High School caused classes to move online for the day. At 6:58 am, Principal Dr. Fior notified the school saying, “Due to a small but contained fire on campus in the Main Building, on campus classes are cancelled today, Thursday, February 25. Cleveland Fire Department is on the scene. Students stay tuned for details from teachers.”
In a tweet, the Cleveland Fire Department wrote that the “fire [was] in a utility/storage closet at [Saint Ignatius] at W.30th/Carroll in 4th Battalion.” They also said that the “fire [was] quickly extinguished” and “no injuries [were] reported.” Later on in the day, according to WKYC, Lt. Mike Norman of the Cleveland Fire Department reported that the cause of the fire had been identified as an electrical short that caught cardboard and papers on fire.
In an additional email, sent at 7:20 to all students, Dr. Fior wrote, “Today, we will conduct classes remotely using the Off Campus schedule. Classes will begin at 8:30. Today is a B day which means periods 6-9 will meet. Our campus will remain closed today until we are given the all-clear by Campus Operations and Campus Security.”
Almost immediately after that email was sent, students began receiving emails from their teachers with Zoom links and further instructions. To some students, who had not been scheduled to attend class until after 11:50 am, this news of class beginning at 8:30 am was less than an exciting development. Within that group, some students, unaware that they were supposed to be in class until they saw the updates when they woke up, missed the beginning of their day, asleep.
Additionally, some teachers, planning to come into school, found themselves without their chargers and others without their computers. Adapting, they found other ways to persevere with some even resorting to teaching on Zoom from their phones.
But like in many unfortunate occurrences, this story is not without its heroes. The maintenance staff at Saint Ignatius who discovered the fire, according to the Cleveland Fire Department, closed the door of the closet that the fire was in and pulled the fire alarm, mitigating the damage that the fire was able to do. Their quick action prevented an acute situation from growing far worse and more dangerous. The firefighters, whose quick response was able to prevent any injuries from occurring, also deserve much praise.
Another unintended positive impact was that the uneaten breakfasts that had been prepared were not put to waste and instead were shared with the West Side Catholic Center across the street. John Litten, the Director of the West Side Catholic Center which has a mission of serving “all who come in need of food, clothing, shelter, advocacy, and a path to self-sufficiency”, thanked the school for the food in a tweet.
This is another unexpected event in a school year that seems at times to be everything but normal.
Please stay tuned for more updates and coverage as this story develops.
One way to think of Lent is as a journey: an approximately forty day journey from winter to spring, sin to salvation, and darkness to light. Pope Francis recently wrote that it is a journey toward “faith, hope, and love”. It is an opportunity for us to restore our commitment to what is right, rediscover our spirituality, and renew our dedication to the parts of our lives that matter the most. Living through COVID makes these messages more pertinent than ever and this time to recenter ourselves more needed because so many parts of our lives have been thrown off balance and for many people there has been so much darkness, sadness, and loneliness in the past year.
In his Lenten message for 2021, Pope Francis also wrote that, “Fasting, prayer and almsgiving, as preached by Jesus (Mt 6:1-18), enable and express our conversion.” In other words, it is through fasting, prayer, and almsgiving that we make this journey. Accordingly, for three weeks this column will be focusing on each of the three pillars of Lent. Last week, the focus was on fasting, and this week it will be on prayer.
Like deciding what we need to free ourselves from during Lent through fasting, deciding how we should make prayer a special part of our lives during this time is also a very personal decision. Each of us has a different relationship with prayer. But this Lent, try to discern what way or ways put you most in touch with God and your inner self.
Some ways to consider are daily mass, sitting alone in a quiet space, writing in a journal, reading the Bible, praying the rosary, lighting a candle in the Chapel, going on a walk or outside, praying right as you fall asleep, and praying right as you wake up. In the stress of daily life, it can be super easy to forget about taking any time for quiet, reflection, meditation, or prayer. Even during morning prayer and the Examen, it is easy for our minds to wander to other things. But taking the time can bring immense benefit to our lives, especially if you find a way to do it that makes you feel peaceful, connected, loved, fulfilled, and whole in your being.
When I was in 3rd grade, my teacher, Mrs. Gill (wife of John Gill ‘97 who works at Saint Ignatius), taught my class a way to pray called the ALTAR prayer. It is a structure for unstructured prayer covering five of the main purposes of prayer: adoration, praise, thanksgiving, petition, and repentance. I like this prayer because it can be what it is made out to be, but it still is enough of a guide so that the person praying does not feel lost:
Altar Prayer:
Prayer can also be incredibly meaningful when it is done with other people and there are many ways on campus to do this. Mass is held every day in St. Mary’s Chapel at 11:20 during the common period. Gonzaga Society prays for the sick on Tuesdays from 7:30-7:45. Ignatians for Life also prays the rosary during 5th period in the Companions Chapel (across from the Admissions Office) every Wednesday. We also have an amazing Campus Ministry team and our Jesuit priests on campus who would both probably be more than happy to help you find more ways to pray if you reach out to them.
Even for those of us who do not believe anyone hears our prayers, the benefits of taking time alone to reflect are immense, and perhaps you will feel a connection, a spark, a voice within you calling you toward something deeper.
The act of praying is an act of faith. It is an act of feeling as much as thinking. It is an act of listening as much as talking. It can be very hard to hear with all of the things in our lives drowning out the responses to our prayers. But at the end of the day, we have the ability to make prayer our own and to make it so connected to who we are that it can cut through our stress, anger, and pain, and help us become better at living the lives we live.
Hopefully, at least a few of the ideas in these three Lent-themed columns will spark a thought or give you at least a bit of inspiration. To all of our readers who are beginning their Lenten journey this year, many blessings, and may the light of Christ guide your way toward greater fulfillment and renewal.
– No. 4 –
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‘At the End of the Day’ is a weekly column written by Terry McCafferty ‘22. Each week focuses on a different topic often related to politics, faith, culture, or society at large.
The Eye is the student-led publication of Saint Ignatius High School.
Editors-in-Chief: Kelly Coleman '23, Young Kim '23 & Aidan Oliss '23
