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Valve’s Steam Controller does the job, but does not start a revolution

The Steam Controller, Valve’s first venture into hardware, is available for $49.99, about the price of a PS4 or Xbox One controller.

BY BRENDAN O’DONNELL ‘16

2 years after announcement, Valve has finally released the Steam Controller for PC. It was announced as being a controller that could merge the power of the mouse and keyboard with the ease of use of a normal controller. But how revolutionary is it? I purchased one to find out.

The Steam Controller, Valve’s first venture into hardware, is available for $49.99, about the price of a PS4 or Xbox One controller.
The Steam Controller, Valve’s first venture into hardware, is available for $49.99, about the price of a PS4 or Xbox One controller.

To start off, the controller felt a little weird. The touchpads didn’t really make sense at first and I was irritated by haptic feedback (which can be turned off). However, as I used it more, I got used to them pretty quick- ly. Now, I feel that I am more accurate with this than a controller, though not as much as the standard mouse and keyboard that I typically use.

Valve has clearly put a lot of time into the de- sign of the controller, in both the hardware and software section. With 2 extra buttons, a usable keyboard, and full integration with the Steam software that runs PC games, the controller is surprisingly useful in many gam- ing situations. I found it easy to use in some games that typically require the mouse and keyboard, such as Civilization V and Fallout 4. However, other games, such as Terraria and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, did not work well with the controller.

Another feature of the controller that I liked is its general use style. While it is made to work in the Steam platform only, it has some default bindings that make it very usable in general web browsing activities. While I certainly wouldn’t type an Arko essay with it, I found it satisfactory to use for watch- ing videos and general internet browsing – something that would work well if the PC is connected to a TV.

The Steam Controller is part of Valve’s vision for a “Steam Universe” – where everything entertainment related runs on the Steam platform. The Steam Controller is certainly a good start to this model, but I think that there could be some improvements on the touchpads before I would consider switch- ing entirely to this. For its purpose, though, the Steam Controller does the job. Just re- member that it only works with PCs.

The Steam Controller fills a niche of users who want to have both the power of a PC and the finesse of a console. Is it possible to have both? I don’t think that it is, to be honest. The PC is great for finding the most power in gaming. Only with a PC can you run a game in 4k or at above 60 fps, for example. However, a PC capable of such feats costs so much more than a console to make (PS4s go for about $300 these days and have about the power of a $500 computer) and is more likely to encounter problems. You can use the PC with a TV, but many PC games are designed to be played at a desk. A console is the easiest way to game with the least initial investment, though game collectors will be interested in the PC’s lower prices.

Is the Steam Controller able to bring the console experience to the power of a PC? I don’t think so. But it is a basic step that is being made to join the best parts of both. Combined with other initiatives such as Steam Machines, Valve may finally be able to capture the console market as well. Only time will tell if they will succeed.

Rating: It might be the beginning of some- thing big, but it isn’t yet game changing.

Movie Reviews: The Revenant & Pride and Prejudice and Zombies

BY CONNOR HOLDEN ‘16

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2. The Revenant


Directed by Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, 2015
The Revenant is undoubtedly a competent movie and impressive in its scope, but all the acclaim that it has received is largely undeserved. It seems that in the face of The Revenant’s visual appeal, strenuous shooting conditions, and the spurious claim that it is based on true events, critics and audiences alike have chosen to ignore that this movie tells its story lacking any nuance.

The Revenant masquerades as an exploration of human survival and the darker impulses of man while in reality possessing no sophistication. It is unable to move beyond pointing out that disgusting things happen and makes no attempt to explore the ramifications of these horrors on its characters.

Furthermore, Leonardo DiCaprio as protagonist Hugh Glass does not give an Oscar worthy performance. The real impressive performance of The Revenant is Tom Hardy who is almost unrecognizable in his performance as the ruthless trapper that only cares for himself.

Alejandro Inarritu is a genuinely talented director and plenty of the cinematography is quite impressive if only a little bit lifeless. If you must see The Revenant keep in mind that all of its artistic flourish is just a façade hiding the trap DiCaprio and Inarritu have set to secure his Oscar and a mainstream breakthrough respectively.

Rating: Just see it once

1. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies


Directed by Burr Steers, 2016
Zombies are terrible, not just as a plague but also as a cultural phenomenon. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies is a joke that might have been funny once as an observation about how vapid zombie movies and Hollywood have become, but actually making a book and movie that is just Pride and Prejudice with added zombie fight scenes and allusions to the infection forced into the original text is beyond pathetic.

This is not a funny movie. It is a cynical and calculated cash grab serving to both reinforce the notion people only want to watch films with name recognition and to appeal to people who think liking all things with zombies as some kind of quirky personality trait. It adds nothing to zombie films as a genre and has about as much thought put into it as an internet meme.

If you want to see a comedy zombie movie go check out the superb Shaun of the Dead or its quainter American brother Zombieland. For a movie about history and zombies somebody made because they loved both and weren’t just looking to make a quick buck Dead Snow 2 is a perfect example. Zombie films began as an outlet for exploring how people interact under insurmountable odds and an outlet for indulging audiences with scenes of justified violence against the vast mindless herds they both hate and feel kinship with. The genre has so much more narrative potential than this schlock.

Rating: Don’t waste your time 

Senioritis is ‘prevalent’ and ‘spreading’ at Ignatius, Pryatel, Deegan say

Seniors put their feet up during a free period. Photo Credit: Phil Massouh ‘16

BY KEVIN DEEGAN ‘16

Senior year is typically defined by a rigorous first semester, college acceptances, and finally a relaxing and carefree second semester. Students across the nation tend to say that these lazy second semester seniors have “senioritis.” Merriam-Webster defines senioritis as “an ebbing of motivation and effort by school seniors as evidenced by tardiness, absences, and lower grades.” But how prominent is senioritis at Saint Ignatius High School?

Take James Pryatel ‘16 for example. James has worked for 7 straight semesters, doing his homework, studying for tests, and paying attention in class. But after his admittance into various universities, James has changed his work ethic at school. “I rarely open my backpack at home ever since getting into college,” says James. He has begun doing more and more homework during his free periods the day that his assignments are due rather than finishing them up the night before.

Before school, James has begun reading the chapter summaries on Sparknotes instead of the actual chapters themselves. “I leave school immediately at 2:05 and I’m home around 2:25. From then, I watch Netflix until about 4:15 because my mom comes home from work at 4:20,” says James. James says that he then opens his bookbag and takes out random books to make it appear like he has been doing his homework for the past two hours. After a few minutes of “studying” while his mom is in the room, James usually goes to “work on his essay” in his basement, where he continues to watch more Netflix. Following dinner with his family, he spends the rest of his night watching the Cavs or Blue Jackets and then going to his bedroom at around 9:30.

I have a book sprawled out on my bed because I’m ‘reading’ but that’s just or when I hear my mom coming to my room.

James says, “I have a book sprawled out on my bed because I’m ‘reading’ but that’s just or when I hear my mom coming to my room.” To no surprise, James ends his nights with another couple hours of Netflix, usually finding himself falling asleep past midnight. “I will complain the next day at school how I’m too tired and don’t get enough sleep even though it’s 100% my fault,” admits James.

Although James is just one specific example of the effects of senioritis, it still seems to consume most second semester seniors. James and other seniors seem to believe that senioritis is not negatively affecting them. He states, “Everyone has it and it’s different for everyone. We’ve worked 3.5 years to this point, and majority of us are in college. Our grades are basically irrelevant as long as we don’t fail. I believe it’s what we are entitled to for our previous years of hard work. We go to a high school that challenges us everyday, and it’s nice to know that it’s not necessary to stress out over homework anymore.”

Seniors across Ignatius truly have begun to follow the mentality, “Due tomorrow, do tomorrow.”

Diplocats make an impact at ECMUN 2016

BY O’D ‘16

The St. Ignatius Model United Nations team traveled for the first time to Richmond, Indiana for the Earlham College Model UN Conference. At the conference, which took place on January 29th and 30th, 36 Ignatian delegates competed with over 300 students in debate. Delegates debated topics such as the refugee crisis, the legalization of drugs, and child marriage.

Jeff Lindholm ‘16 making his presence felt in committee Photo Credit: Peter Corrigan
Jeff Lindholm ‘16 making his presence felt in committee Photo Credit: Peter Corrigan

St. Ignatius delegates took top place in three of the thirteen committees. Charley Heintel ‘16 and John Jakubisin ‘18 won the UNICEF committee. Sam Watters ‘18 took home his third straight first place finish in the House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs. Finally, Jeff Lindholm ‘16 and Peter Nichols ‘18 won best delegate in the General Assembly. Remarkably, Lindholm was able to win medalist with no preparation, taking place of an ill delegate.

According to Lindholm, years of experience provided him with the ability to win the conference without any research done. “I wouldn’t be able to do it without the three and a half years of experience that I have acquired. Back at Gannon University in 2012, I was terrified to speak. Now, I was able to passionately talk to the whole committee about the security council. I was being attacked on all cylinders, and this raised me up to the top.” Nevertheless, Lindholm was “stunned” when he found out about his victory.

Ignatius as a whole made a strong performance at the committee. Only awards for “Best Delegate” and “Most Improved” were offered. Ignatius took almost 25% of the awards for best delegate, despite making up about 12% of the committee. Most delegations were made up of two delegates, providing a different experience from the usual “one delegate per country” experience. This shows how well prepared our students are to succeed in new environments.

Some members of the Model UN team will be traveling to the Miami University Model UN conference in March, and a larger group will attend Cornell’s prestigious conference in April. If previous results are indicative of anything, the Model UN team will do very well in these committees, even though most delegates have not been to either one of these conferences before. The skills of our delegates combined with the preparations offered will enable them to do very well in the committees.


St. Ignatius sends seven seniors to Ivy Leagues ED, more to come

BY BRIAN MESSINA ‘16 and TOMMY NAPOLI ‘17

After the early action and early decision period of college notifications, Ignatius had seven students in the class of 2016 accepted into Ivy League schools. Of these students, two were accepted at Harvard, two at Yale, one at Princeton, one at Columbia, and one at Cornell. This is a historically high number for Ivy League acceptances for a single class at Saint Ignatius.

Getting into Ivy League schools is always very difficult, but the class of 2016 is very strong and hard-working. These schools spend a long time reviewing thousands of applications that are closely scrutinized by the admissions staff. They make a holistic review of each applicant, looking at grades, test scores, extracurricular activities, essays, and other factors. Accepted students have to be well-rounded and high-achieving at a bare minimum; most often they have to go above and beyond.

Some have attributed this number of acceptances to the success of the Day of Discernment for seniors on PSAT day. This senior workshop day not only allowed students to hear from professionals in whatever field they were interested in but also gave students the opportunity to seek help with the Common App and essay writing. One of the most helpful sessions was Mr. Fujimoto’s interview preparation session where students were instructed on how to dress, to send a thank-you to the interviewer, and to communicate effectively. Because of how stressful interviews are, this session helped many of these students in this process.

Of course, these students could not be where they are without the hard work of those in the College Counseling Department. Each of them has worked tirelessly to allow our students the chance to succeed when applying to colleges. Mrs. Gabor said, “We’ve established a really good relationship with the Ivy League schools over the past five years.” She also noted that the staff of these top schools has gotten to know our staff well, and that consistency and relationship has helped our students. Most of the top colleges know St. Ignatius very well.

Niko Apostolakis (Princeton) said, “I was ecstatic when I learned of my acceptance, and I am grateful for the many unique opportunities to serve and learn that Ignatius has offered me.”

Ivan Wolansky (Columbia) said, “For me, sitting there and seeing the words “accepted” was surreal…As for what this school has done for me, Ignatius made me realize that it’s not all about me. It’s about being there for others and doing all I can to make the world a better place.”

Several more students in the class of 2016 are waiting to hear back from Ivy League schools in April for regular decision. We wish these students the best of luck, and we hope that every student gets good news in the mail and chooses whichever school is the best fit for them.

McHugh, Seifert lead Zenn resurgence

The Zenn Club members after a day on the boards. Photo Credit: Drew Seifert ‘16

BY DREW SEIFERT ‘16

Over 70 members in less a little over a year could be argued for one of the fastest growing clubs ever seen on this campus. The Zenn club has risen to the challenge in all its forms.

It all started when I got my dad a Zenn board as a gift for Christmas two years prior and the idea to revive the club hit me. I contacted one of my good friends, Mark McHugh, who had a similar affinity to the game as me, and from there we never looked back.

Believe it or not. this is not the Zenn club’s first stint on campus. It was formed in 1973 and slowed down in 2008. It was Ignatius’s biggest club for a period of time boasting over 175 members.

There’s a big tournament coming up called the Spring Fling with free pastries and gift card prizes. Nick Serio ‘16 is the club’s perennial champ, but he’s liable to be unseated by a dark horse. Stop by Room 231 on Mondays to try your hand on the boards and see what all the noise is about.

Banyeretse to Oberlin, courtesy of Questbridge scholarship

BY JOEY GUTBROD ‘17

Questbridge is a program designed to allow talented students from low-income families to attend high-end universities. Students receiving the Questbridge Scholarship are not just able to attend mediocre or halfway- decent colleges, but some of the most prestigious universities in the country. Yale, Princeton, Columbia, Stanford, and Notre Dame are just a few of the amazing institutions that participate in the Questbridge Program. Ignatius’ very own Didier Banyeretse has been awarded this amazing scholarship, earning full tuition into Oberlin College.

“When I first realized I had qualified for the scholarship, I was a bit taken aback,” said Didi. “It felt a little larger than life and took me a few moments to process the impact this scholarship would make.”

The storied buildings of Oberlin College. Photo Credit: Wikipedia Commons
The storied buildings of Oberlin College.
Photo Credit: Wikipedia Commons

The family of Questbridge scholars are also benefited greatly by this program. Didi said, “This scholarship allows my parents the re- lief of not having to give thought about the cost of my education throughout college. I have three other younger siblings going to school, and the less they have to worry about how I will afford my college education, the more they can focus on the younger kid’s education.”

Didi was very grateful for certain staff at St. Ignatius. “I’d like to thank Mrs. Gabor and the amazing College Counseling department for helping me with the scholarship application process,” he said. “I couldn’t have done it without them.” Thanks to the counselors, teachers, and the Questbridge program, Didier can enjoy a great college experience with little to no financial burden.

Marian Mall expansion will begin over Easter Break, ready by Fall 2016

An architectural rendering of the prayer grotto, which will serve as a location for prayer and meditation.

The extension of the mall and construction of a prayer grotto will begin in the next few weeks, said Mr. Richard Klingshirn ‘79, school Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer.

The project will expand the existing mall to include Carroll Ave between W. 30th and Wasmer Field. Ignatius currently owns all the property north of the campus on that stretch, which includes the Jesuit residence and the former Arrupe Volunteer House.

The focal point of the project will be the addition of a prayer grotto in honor of Dr. Michael Pennock ‘64 and Mr. Jim Skerl ‘74. Both were beloved members of the Ignatius Theology Department.

Pennock died in 2009. Jim Skerl passed away after a heroic battle with pancreatic cancer in 2014.

An overview of the Marian Mall. W. 30th street is to the left, the building shown is the Jesuit Residence
An overview of the Marian Mall. W. 30th street is to the left, the building shown is the Jesuit Residence

The Marian Mall will include a meandering pathway marked by size 15 shoe prints, a nod to Skerl, a former Ignatius and John Carroll University basketball player. Along the pathway will elements highlighting the Corporal Works of Mercy, which Skerl–the founder of the Joseph of Arimathea Pallbearers Society and Labre Ministry–was especially devoted. The central feature, a prayer grotto, will include a water feature, stained glass window, and statue of Mary.

Klingshirn foresees that the grotto will become “a place of prayer and meditation, as well as a gathering location for classes, retreat groups and athletic teams.”

Despite the changes, the construction project shouldn’t create much disruption for students or staff. Access to Carroll Avenue east of 30th Street will be closed after Easter Break, and students will not be able to enter or exit campus via the back quad during construction. Staff parking will be relocated to the Breen Center lot.

Work on the Marian Mall will continue through the summer, with the project completed by this fall.

Student entrepreneurs sink or swim with sharks

BY MATTHEW JONES ‘17

The “American dream” has always been the culmination of American culture. The US has been regarded as a land of opportunity from the beginning; the chance to “make it big” is what makes America so special. In the past few years, a television show by the name of “Shark Tank” has embraced the American dream by allowing entrepreneurs to pitch their ideas to multi-millionaires willing to invest. But how does Saint Ignatius high school embrace the American dream? Through its very own Saint Ignatius Shark Tank competition.

The 4th annual Saint Ignatius shark tank, modeled after the popular TV show, was held on Saturday, January 30th in Loyola hall. There, hopeful students pitched their well thought out business plans to the sharks. The competition was the exact same concept as the reality TV show; in the words of Mr. Hess, “Same concept. Less money.”

The sharks eagerly waited to analyze the business ideas of each young Ignatius entrepreneur. These sharks, like on the the television series, were successful businessmen who graduated from Ignatius, such as Tom Barrett ‘88, and Pat Kucharson, ‘05. Mr. Barrett was most recently the CEO and owner of White Hat management, an educational company, and Mr. Kucharson was most recently the chief operating officer at BeMyDD, a designated driver service.

Mr. Hess says the competition was part of a larger one with other schools: “Ignatius is par t of a consortium of local high schools, the Veale Foundation Youth Entrepreneurship Forum.

We started four years ago with a grant. We all decided to have separate competitions then get together for a regional contest.”

The students’ business ideas were in a variety of fields, from botany to beverages to Ray Kman, ‘17, talks about the concept of his business, Home Growth Hydro: “Our business Home Growth Hydro is hydroponics made easy. We are a subscription based service that sets up our hydroponics kits in your home and take care of them on a twice a month basis. We will grow your desired plants and at any time you, the owner, would like to have some fresh vegetables, simply visit your personal hydroponic system that we initially set up and take any vegetables you need.”

The winner of the Saint Ignatius Shark Tank, freshman Seamus Cooney, has a beverage labeling business named Ohio Valley Beverage, which sells custom soda in glass bottles: as described as “a bottle. we sell drinks with Ignatius labels on them.”

He found the inspiration for his idea at Lehman’s deli, in Westlake: “I was at Lehman’s Deli at Westlake on the west side, and they have their own labels that say Lehman’s; they have their own private labels and I looked them up, and thought why doesn’t Ignatius or other schools have this?”

The competition had the unique opportunity of offering a real world business experience for some of the school’s most aspiring and future entrepreneurs.

One of these NEW classes offered next year might just make you fall in love with your schedule.

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6ECONOMICS FORUM

(aka THE SAGE ON THE STAGE)
Taught by: Mr. Hess
Perfect for: Anyone wanting to study Economics in a lecture-style format where classes meet twice a week.
Field Trips: You won’t need one. Mr. Hess will regale you so many stories of his trav- els in France, you’ll be convinced you were there with him.

5PSYCHOLOGY

(aka TELL ME ABOUT YOUR MOTHER)

Taught by: Mrs. Koehler
Perfect for: Anyone interested in learn- ing about the human mind and its func- tions, especially those affecting behavior.
Field Trips: Uncover the endless maze that is the brain of Mr. Arko!

4MANDARIN III

(aka THE USEFUL LANGUAGE)

Taught by: Mrs. Li
Perfect for: Anyone wanting to learn even more about the language predominantly spoken in the world’s fourth largest country.
Field Trips: Journey to the China House down the street to indulge in some delicious “Americanized” Chinese cuisine! Spoiler: there was no General Tso.

3MARINE SCIENCE

(aka THE LIFE AQUATIC)

Taught by: Mr. Wolf
Perfect for: Anyone interested in dis- covering what’s under the sea.
Field Trips: Enjoy a wonderful stay within the Lost City of Atlantis.

2ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

(aka T-MAC’s BEARD IS A HABITAT)
Taught by: Mr. Brennan, Mr. McCafferty, and Mr. Sava(ge)stano
Perfect for: Anyone intrigued by Moth- er Earth and this field’s moral, humanitarian, and scientific aspects.
Field Trips: Venture to Beijing’s industrial district where smog consumes the area for miles on end!

1WRITING FOR PUBLICATION

(aka WOULD YOU LIKE FRIES WITH THAT?)

Taught by: Mr. Walters
Perfect for: Anyone fascinated by newspapers, magazines, or broadcasting news on radio or television, and who aspires to a career in the food industry.
Field Trips: Clandestine meetings with anonymous sources will be regularly scheduled.

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About The Eye

The Eye is the student-led publication of Saint Ignatius High School.

Editors-in-Chief: Kelly Coleman '23, Young Kim '23 & Aidan Oliss '23