vol. 2 issue 8

May 2014Faculty: A. Cox & J. ReckardLayout: Nick Morris

P.S.Thank you for a successful year, from your Herald of the Saints staff!Editors: Cad Naour, Katie Clark, Jane Kuebler.Layout: Cad Naour, Nick MorrisJournalists: Faith Wieland, Katherine Brady, Emily Swanson, Rachael Siedl, Patrick Perring, Shannon Lewis, Riley Simpson.Faculty: Mrs. Cox, Mr. Reckard

This is a note to everyone, especially our seniors. Positivity can carry us such a long way. Not only have we experienced this in our own lives, but it is scientifically proven that thinking positively directly affects our bodies and emotions towards ourselves and others. I’d like to share with you a couple of accounts in my own life that will hopefully reinforce your perspective on positivity. I also have a couple of tricks up my sleeve for when life gets overwhelming.

I am a perfectionist. By putting countless amounts of stress on myself to always be perfect, I became stuck in worry, physically sick even. A coach (and close friend of mine) shared with me her trick to let everything go--at least for a short moment. She told me to take a deep breath, stand up straight, look up to the sky, and give the goofiest smile I could. Just as she said, it is literally impossible to be upset when you look so silly.

During homecoming court week, some underclassmen called down the hallway to compliment my dress. The rest of the day I felt so honored some girls I had barely ever talked to felt comfortable enough to call me out so kindly. It is truly incredible how the smallest gesture can make someone’s day, and how it takes such little effort.

I was riding my bike down the trail on a particularly rough day. It began with be-ing cut off by one car trying to cross, followed by a rude call from another car on G.E. Road. I dedicated my bike ride to them, making my goal to smile and wave at each biker, walker, and runner I saw on the trail. My day turned a complete 180, and I hoped that somehow I did the same for someone else who needed a friendly smile.

It is incredibly hard, especially on your darkest days, to find the positive side to things. Sometimes it seems like everything is right in the world, the next day everything is fall-ing apart around you. I have found it is more than okay to be sad--and to want to be sad. However, there comes a time to pull yourself out of your cave before it induces damaging effects to yourself and relationships with others.

Positivity is more than just being happy. It is the thin ray of light shed on every dark situation. It is the hope that your future is bright and that good things will happen to you. It is trust in others that everyone has some bit of good. It is showing others that you care for them, that they hold a special place in your heart. It is showing yourself that you are valued and loved.

I just wanted to take the time to let you all know, whatever your problems, whatever adversity you will face as you take on your new adventures.there is always a bright side; there is always a plan for you.

Positively Positiveby: Faith Wieland

www.jostens.com

Senior year is over, and our four short years at Central Catholic are coming to an abrupt ending. The memories made, whether sweet or sour, will remain en-graved into our brains for many years to come. But how do we summarize them? In five words or less, here’s what the class of 2015 had to say:

“Can I graduate yet?” - Patrick Perring“Straight up goofin’.” - Joseph Schopp“Smashing success!” - Lauren Van Hoof “Short journey with best friends.” - Logan Friedrich“It took much patience.” - Samantha Ford“Straight fire.” - Katie Clark“I probably don’t hate you.” - Kevin O’Donnell“Party at T’s.” - Lindsey Schopp“What’s cooler than being cool?” - Tyler Coran“Fun, memorable, exciting, unique.” - Chris Barnes“Party at T’s.” - Amanda Einck“Friends, faith, busy, unforgettable memo-ries.” - Danielle Brady“I did all my homework.” - Jane Kuebler“There was homework?” - Sophia Ayers“Fun, faith, friends, fond memories.” - Mark Naleway“It coulda been worse.” - Meghan Allen“A classic, old-fashioned shootout.” - PJ Baranek“Blessed with the best.” - Carly Haynes“Thanks for the memories.” - Jon Walters“Years we will never forget.” - Carly Haynes“Party at T’s.” - Grant Holley“Coach said it was cancelled.” - Grant Glowacki“Targus is not my name.” - Mike McHenry“Get out while you can.” - Ignatius Plato“Dodge, duck, dip, dive, dodge.” - Bassett Scheurich“It’s in the hole.” - Eric Gilpin“Challenging but exhilarating.” - Angel Cochran “I’m never gonna dance again.” - Ethan Chu“Life’s better when Luke’s home.” - Cad Naour“Found my favorite Mohawk style.” - Sarah Allen“Lots of laughs.” - Gillian Torres“A sad Taylor Swift song.” - Caroline Fried-mann“Literal and figurative growing experi-ence.” - Eric Whalen

High School Career in Five Words or Lessby: Rachael Seidl & Katherine Brady

“Is it Friday yet?” - Luke Marcheschi “Emotional.” - Bridget VanValey“Close enough is good enough.” - Jimmy Havens“Family, busy work, and cupcakes.“ - Em-ily Rees“Notes, pencils, desks and teachers.” - An-dres Torres“Not like high school musical.” - Mitzi Miramontes“Thank God it’s not U-High.” - Joe Bev-ilacqua “Party at T’s.” - Connor Sheehan

Head of the Classby: Nick Morris

Central would be to just love the good things while you have them. Take advan-tage of the fact that it’s a small school, and you really do have the opportunity to do anything that you want while here. You can get involved in a ton of stuff if you want to. Also sometimes you have to lower your standards in order to get everything that you have to get done, done. That's some-thing that I totally should have learned sooner.” We would like to congratulate all of three of these successful students for their hard work and dedication.

When it comes to good grades, every year two students are selected for valedic-torian and salutatorian. This year we had a tie for salutatorian between Joe Bevilacqua and Laura Burns. The valedictorian of 2015 is Ethan Chu. When asked how he felt about being the valedictorian, Ethan said, “I wet my pants out of excitement...metaphorically, of course.” In response to questions about his favorite classes, he said, “ I love all class-es equally ( but AP U.S. History a little more).” Ethan also had this advice to offer about the future: “Stay in school. Love each other. Say yes to things. Fight for what's right. Give your mom a hug. Count your blessings. Be the captain of your soul. Live, laugh, love. Be the change you want to see in the world. Reach for the sky. There's a snake in my boot. Think outside the box. Give yourself, but save your money. Do your taxes. Go to bed at a reasonable time. Eat breakfast. Check yourself. Live every week like it's Shark Week.” The Salutatorians that tied were Joe Bevilacqua and Laura Burns. When asked how they felt, Joe said “Finally!,” and Laura said, “I was really excited when I found out. I knew that I had to tell my mom because she was kind of the person who pushed me during high school--and espe-cially senior year--to keep good grades.” Joe said his favorite class was “AP Chem--but not the class, but because of Ms. Sprague.” Laura’s favorite class was art because, “It's the best time of day when I can just hang out and work on art with my friends.” If they could give any advice, Joe said, “Choose this place; you won’t regret it,” and Laura added, “My advice about

An Ode to the Teachersby: Patrick Perring Have you ever thought about the people who oversee us during lunch? Or about those who direct our plethora of home-coming events and activities? What about those who put together and run the CCHS Olympics each January? The people who do all these great things for our school, while staying on top of educating our young minds as well? As the year comes to a close, it’s easy for students to become overwhelmed by all the hullabaloo around us during this busy time. But the one thing we can't forget to do is to show gratitude toward the peo-ple who made all of this happy madness possible: our teachers. Through the years, through thick and thin, these are the key people in shaping our futures as well as the people we are in present time. Good teachers are a rare breed. They are knowledgeable, patient, enthusiastic and kind. They manage everything in the face of students who often don't want to be taught. We have all been lucky at Central to have the abundance of amazing teach-ers we have encountered, and we should never take that for granted. So, on behalf of the Central Catholic High School Class of 2015, we thank YOU, teachers, for all the sacrifices you've made during our four years here at CCHS, both inside and outside the classroom.

BurnsMost Annoying Snapchat Stories - Gage Rupert, Lindsey SchoppBest to Bring Home to Your Parents - Daniel Dionesotes, Katherine BradyMost Likely to Go Pro - Jake Reinhart, Faith WielandBest Eyes- Kevin O’Donnell, Shannon LewisSassiest - PJ Baranek, Elena McCulloughMost Fun - Orvic Magallanes, Amanda EinckThe Couple that Should Have Been - Jack Brady, Angel CochranCutest Couple - John Harris, Kelli HighlandMost Likely to be High School Sweethearts - Emmett Kornfeld, Kyleigh SnavelyMost Chill - Bailey McPherson, Rook PaulBest Wheels - Tyler Coran, Tyler KirkBest Dancer - Derrion Hodges, Maggie KnollBest Smile - Logan Friedrich, Riley StevensMost Dramatic - Patrick Perring, Grace NolanMost Athletic - Joe Bevilacqua, Annie EliasMost Likely to Travel the World - Scottie Har-bert, Nicole TaimoorazyBest School Spirit - Grant Holley, Cad NaourBest Sneeze - Luke Marcheschi, Maggie LesserFriendliest - Jimmy Havens, Bailey StevensMost Advanced Techie - JP Smith, Monica HamrinMost Accident Prone - Donovan Haas, Caroline FriedmannBest Laugh - Eric Gilpin, Macy BauerBest Participation in Class - Andres Torres, Jane KueblerMost Likely to Win the Lottery and Then Lose the Ticket - Chris Barnes, Bridget VanValeyThe Next American Idol - Brady Diemer, Lauryn OlesonBest Nickname - Mike McHenry (Targus), Sophia Ayers (Suds)Dynamic Duo - Daniel Dionesotes & Eric Whalen, Sarah Allen & Kayla SchlenkerMost Sarcastic - Ignatius Plato, Lauren Van-Hoof Most Artistic - Nick Bleichner, Meghan AllenMost Likely to Cure Cancer - Aaron Shane , Addison ElyMost Likely to Become President - Tommy Tatro, Rachel ThomasMost Changed (Freshman → Senior) - Braxton Coffman, Danielle BradyBest Debater - Grant Glowacki, Sarah AllenBest Newbies - Lukas Vroman, Michaela AkersBest Middle Names - Ryan Boston McBeath, Maxximillian Cooper LawrenceMost Votes Without Winning a Category - Bobby McGraw, Sarah Herr

The time has come, seniors--we are graduating! How about a little playlist to tug at the heartstrings? Below is a playlist of 15 songs for the class of 2015 that will help you reflect on all the good times of high school, as well as make you realize it’s all coming to an end...but it can only get better from here!

“Graduation”- Vitamin C“I’ll be There For You”- Rembrandts

“Photograph”- Nickelback“You’ll Be in My Heart”- Phil Collins

“Wherever You Go”- Miley Cyrus“Tattoos On This Town”- Jason Aldean

“I Gotta Feeling”- Black Eyed Peas“Don’t You Forget About Me”- Simple Minds

“End of the Road”- Boyz II Men“It’s Time”- Imagine Dragon

“Send Me on My Way”- Rusted Root“Unwritten”- Natasha Bedingfield

“Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)”- Green Day

“Say Goodbye”- Chris Brown“Forever Young”- Alphaville

Graduation Playlistby: Patrick Perring

As we approach graduation, we look back on the memories the senior class had made, and we thank them for a good time. When they leave it will be weird when the hallways are empty and less noisy. They will be missed for their good times and bad. We have learned a lot from the seniors. We learned how to defend our pro-life beliefs, how to kick butt at homecoming, how to lead the white sea to victory, how to support one another through thick and thin, and how to be hard working. Wheth-er on the sports teams, in the classrooms, or in student body clubs, they have been our leaders for this year. Thank you seniors for leading the way. We were blessed to have you for three years, always guiding us to success.

Farewell Seniorsby: Riley Simpson and Nick Morris

15 Memories for the Class of ‘15by: Shannon Lewis and Cad Naour

High School is where some of our best memories are made that we will remem-ber for the rest of our lives, so here are 15 memories for the class of 2015 that we’re sure we will all want to remember!1. We were the first class to have Mr. Foster as principal.2. The girls’ basketball team won 3rd at state!3. The senior class charity was St. Jude. 4. Superheroes was the chosen homecom-ing theme this year.5. Senioritis was real since freshmen year.6. Our girls finally won their first powder-puff football game!!!7. Jake Reinhart sprayed pepper spray in the hallway.8. Live Broadcast!9. Rich out game at U-High.10. Our student section earned the title “White Sea.”11. We never came in last in Homecoming Week.12. The board game phase (Tenzees, Mafia, Euchre, Blackjack).13. Shrek took over.14. Our last Olympics was the best one yet.15. Our football team made it the farthest in playoffs out of all the schools in town.

The senior class of 2015 contains many dominant personalities and a wide variety of temperaments (shoutout to Junior Theology!). We have everything--from those loud spoken and outgoing to those politely introverted and quiet. Our traits don’t define us, but they are interesting to acknowledge. Here is the class of 2015 as they see themselves:

Loudest - Connor Sheehan, Courtney CoxQuietest - Kyle Kwasny, Emily SwansonMost Outgoing - Jon Walters, Mitzi Mira-montesFunniest - Logan Mote, Mary CrawfordBest Dressed - Joseph Schopp, Rachael SeidlBest Hair - Jonathan Broadbear, Brynna HarmanClass Clowns - Danny Dumler, Katie ClarkMost Holy - Ryan Hartness, Carly HaynesSweetest - Mark Naleway, Emily ReesMost Likely to Shock Everyone at the Re-union - Bassett Scheurich, Samantha FordBest Shoes - “New Shoe Evan” Cavi, Gillian TorresMost Likely to Succeed - Ethan Chu, Laura

Senior SUPERlativesby: KK Brady and Rachael Seidl

The School of ChoiceHerald StaffMichaela AkersHeartland Community CollegeMeghan AllenSt. Mary’s CollegeSarah AllenSt.Mary’s CollegeSophia AyersUniversity of IllinoisPJ BaranekUniversity of Central FloridaChris BarnesHeartland Community CollegeMacy BauerUniversity of IllinoisJoe BevilacquaUnited States Naval Academy Nick BleichnerHeartland Community CollegeDanielle Brady Illinois State UniversityJack BradyUniversity of DaytonKatherine BradyVillanovaJonathan BroadbearIllinois Wesleyan University Laura BurnsUniversity of IllinoisEvan CaviIllinois State UniversityEthan ChuRice University Katie ClarkUniversity of IllinoisAngel Cochran Southern Illinois University- Carbondale Braxton CoffmanSt.Joseph’s College Tyler Coran University of IllinoisCourtney CoxUniversity of Missouri Mary CrawfordIllinois State UniversityBrady DiemerUniversity of MissouriDaniel DionesotesMarquette UniversityDanny Dumler Heartland Community CollegeAmanda Einck University of Dayton Annie EliasBelmont University Addison ElyIllinois Wesleyan UniversitySamantha FordBelmont Abbey CollegeCaroline FriedmannUniversity of IllinoisLogan FriedrichUniversity of IllinoisEric GilpinIndian Hills Community College

Grant Glowacki University of Illinois Donovan HaasLewis UniversityMonica HamrinOklahoma Christian CollegeScott HarbertUniversity of Southern CaliforniaBrynna HarmanUniversity of IowaJohn HarrisMacMurray CollegeRyan HartnessBenedictine CollegeJimmy HavensEastern Illinois UniversityCarly HaynesSt.Louis UniversitySarah HerrXavier UniversityKelli Highland Illinois Wesleyan UniversityDerrion HodgesParkland CollegeGrant HolleyUniversity of Missouri Tyler KirkSpellman CollegeMaggie KnollUniversity of IllinoisEmmett KornfeldGeorgia Tech Jane KueblerTruman State UniversityKyle KwasnyHeartland Community CollegeMaxx LawrenceHeartland Community CollegeMaggie LesserIllinois State UniversityShannon LewisCalifornia State University San MarcosOrvic Magallanes Illinois State UniversityLuke Marcheschi Missouri S&TRyan McBeathUniversity of KentuckyElena McCulloughHeartland Community CollegeBobby McGrawHeartland Community CollegeMike McHenryHeartland Community CollegeBailey McPhersonUniversity of MissouriMitzi Miramontes Bellarmine UniversityLogan MoteUniversity of MissouriMark NalewayHeartland Community CollegeKatie NaourUniversity of Missouri

Grace NolanUniversity of MissouriKevin O’Donnell University of Dayton Lauryn OlesonNorth Central CollegeRook PaulUniversity of IllinoisPatrick PerringUniversity of TampaIgnatius PlatoWashington and Lee UniversityEmily ReesAquinas CollegeJake ReinhartLewis UniversityGage RupertHeartland Community CollegeBassett ScheurichHeartland Community CollegeKayla SchlenkerLewis UniversityJoseph SchoppBenedictine UniversityLindsey SchoppHeartland Community CollegeRachel SeidlSouthern Methodist UniversityAaron ShaneIowa State University Connor SheehanUniversity of IllinoisJP SmithIllinois State UniversityKyleigh Snavely Ball State UniversityBailey StevensWestern Kentucky UniversityRiley StevensHeartland Community CollegeEmily SwansonIllinois State UniversityNicole TaimoorazyUniversity of Illinois Tommy TatroUniversity of IllinoisRachel ThomasSouthern Illinois University-CarbondaleAndres TorresHillsdale CollegeGillian TorresUniversity of TexasLauren VanHoof University of Northern Colorado Bridget VanValey Illinois State UniversityLuke VromanIndiana State UniversityJon WaltersParkland CollegeFaith WielandUniversity of IowaEric WhalenUniversity of Illinois

Before College Bucket by:Emily Swanson The summer between high school and col-lege is incredibly unique. You’re not quite “on your own” yet, but you’re certainly not a child anymore. It’s a summer unlike any that you’ve had before, and unlike any one that you’ll ever have again. Make the most of this time by com-pleting a Before-College Bucket List: Cook a complete meal for your family. Gain come culinary experience while showing your parents appreciation for the many years they’ve provided food for you. Clean up your social media. Get rid of embarrassing old photos and posts. Remove “friends” that were merely acquaintances. Change your privacy settings. You’re about to enter a more professional world; make sure that the contents of your social media reflect the image that you want people to see. Write a letter to your post-college self. Outline who you are right now, what you believe in, what you want to accomplish, etc. Talk about what you want to accomplish, your hopes, your dreams, your fears for the future, etc. Ask yourself questions. Talk about your current favorites, and tell your future self what your high school memories currently are. Don’t open it until the day you graduate college. It’s an amazing way to preserve who you are in this moment; don’t forget the person you are right now. Talk to someone you’ve never talked to be-fore. What do you have to lose?Go on a road trip with your best friends. They’re here now; don’t waste the time that you still have together. Soon enough, they’ll be hours away. Enjoy yourselves, take lots of pictures, and make some great memories that will last forever. Go to a midnight movie premiere. See a movie that you’ve been dying to see, and enjoy the unique atmosphere of being surrounded by others who are equally as excited as you are. Learn to clean and do laundry. These are life skills that you need to know. Learn them now, while you have the opportunity to practice and receive tips from your parents. Friend your favorite high school teachers on

Facebook. Keep in touch; they had an influence on the person you’ve grown into. They might be interested to see what you do with the rest of your life. Volunteer. Even though Living The Faith hours are over, you can still help your community. Take a picture of yourself. Every day. Save them somewhere. In four or five years, you can put them in a slideshow and watch yourself grow. (Search “She Takes a Photo: 6.5 Years” by Beckie0 on YouTube.)

Teachers Tell All: Class of 2015by: Patrick PerringLooking back, we all have those memories at Central Catholic that we will remember for the rest of our lives. As students we’ve seen the best of times and the worst of times. Let’s not forget though that teachers have feelings, too. They have just as many incredible memories if not more, considering they’re the rock behind the school. Lord knows what they’ve seen or heard… Mr. Sealy’s favorite moment was playing board games and MAFIA during homeroom and after school, having the loudest and most fun-loving students in his class, and all the after-school discussions on deep life issues. Miss Booth loved seeing students joyfully defending life on the March for Life in D.C., and, of course, “Dímelo” in Spanish 4. Mr. Head enjoyed spending time with his Christian Lit squad, or as he calls them, “youngsters.” Mr. Fabrizio loved watching them come together during homecoming week to win, and he loved all the announcers at the basketball games. The funniest/most embarrassing moment to Mr. Huberman was when Mitzi called him fat. Mrs. Cox remembers when Grace Nolan noted BIG similarities between herself and Lennie in Of Mice and Men. She also fondly recalls how Jonathan Broadbear thought her pregnancy announcement was an April Fools’ joke. It took him about a week to realize she wasn’t joking. The teachers also have some great advice for you. Mrs. Daniel says, “Be open to learning, whether you see its importance now or not. You never know where your life may lead you!” Mr. Lawrence says, “Make time for prayer every

day!” Ms. G. adds, “When you think the world has turned its back on you, take another look.” Miss LaCoy wants you to remember what you learned here at CCHS and how to live authenti-cally as a Catholic. Hopefully all of the teachers have given you examples of how to live authen-tically and joyfully. Most of all, your teachers want you to know that they’re so proud of each of you and love you, and to be assured of their prayers always. “What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.”--Ralph Waldo Emerson

As the seniors prepare to graduate and go off to college, we are able to look back at our high school career--what we didn’t do or what we could have done better. We asked multiple seniors what their advice would be to the underclassmen, and this is what they said:“Try really hard; otherwise you mess up yourself in the long run.”- Lindsey Schopp“Be super nice to everyone!” - Grace Nolan“Don’t get in trouble…” - Grant Holley“When you get to the end of your junior year, do not stop working.” - Ryan Hart-ness“Drink your protein and wash your hands!” - Donovan Haas“Listen to Coach.” - Grant Glowacki“Always listen to Coach.” - Katherine Brady

Words of Wisdom By Shannon Lewis and Cad Naour

One Class. One Retreat. One Last Time by: Jane Kuebler

“Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.”- Henry D. Thoreau

SENIORS

2015

April 29, 2015. 8:15 a.m. to 8:15 p.m. Metamora, IL. This is last time the senior class of Central Catholic High School came together for a retreat. With graduation right around the corner, everyone is about to go their different ways and begin anew. Although we may never see some of our classmates again, we will always be united in one way--by our faith. We will always be brothers and sisters in Christ, and this retreat was a great reminder of that and inspiration for how to keep our faith in our future. Our day began with a noisy bus ride to Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Metamo-ra. Not many people knew what to expect but, as we entered a room with “Dancing Queen” playing, we knew it could not be a bad day. After a warm welcome from Father Pilon, Miss LaCoy, and Mr. Sealy, members of the senior class gave speeches on the topics of fear, virtues, obstacles, and being Catholic. The speakers all brought in personal experiences and applied the topic to next year when we face the real world. After each speech, we broke into small groups for deeper conversations about the topic and highlights of the talks. Intermixed with talks and group times were creative and fun games. These games included everything from eggs to pool noodles and Oreos to balloons! As with any other CCHS event, there was an overabundance of delicious food (provided mostly by the senior class) that everyone was able to enjoy for lunch and dinner. The quieter times of the day with lots of prayer and reflection came with the Rosary at the grotto, Reconciliation, and Mass. This put things into perspective and reminded us what really matters--our faith. As we go into college and the next chapters of our lives, we cannot forget God, who helped us get to where we are and who has been by our side through the ups and downs of high school. No matter what we fear, what virtues we possess and which ones we struggle with, or what obstacles we face, being Catholic will always guide us through and help us in our journey.