Bulldog Spirit

Vol. XVI Issue V April/May 2016 St. Joseph High School

New Principal Greeted By Alyssa Be

Sixth grade teacher Jennifer Fullerton greets Ms.

Diane Wolfe as Middle School Principal looks on.

Ms. Diane Wolfe, who’ll become

principal of St. Joseph High

School on July 1, was introduced

to faculty and staff at a meet and

greet held April 13. She’ll succeed

Joe Mallett who’s stepping down

after 15 years of service as an ad-

ministrator.

Ms. Wolfe is currently an adjunct

faculty member and doctoral can-

didate at the University of Central

Arkansas. She taught mathematics

for 20 years at Catholic schools in

Colorado and Louisiana as well as

Little Rocks Central High School.

She was an administrator at Im-

maculate Conception School in

North Little Rock for three years

and served as principal at Mt. St.

Mary’s Academy in Little Rock

for five years.

Ms. Wolfe and her husband,

Keith, a retired airline pilot, raised

three children. They reside in Lit-

tle Rock and are members of

Christ the King Catholic Church.

Senior Sarah Beth Briggler was

honored by the Arkansas

Basketball Coaches Association at a

banquet held in Benton on April

21st that was attended by coaches

and players from across the state.

Sarah Beth was one of two state

players to receive the newly- creat-

ed Point Guard College "Heart of A

Champion" award. for courage and

perseverance. Point Guard College

is a nationally prominent basketball

camp.

Early on in her athletic career,

Sarah Beth was playing for one of

St. Joseph's Pee Wee teams when

she was diagnosed with a form of

bone cancer. Chemotherapy and

surgery arrested the disease, but it

put physical limitations on her that

wouldn't allow close contact with

other players. Her heart was still in

the game, so she continued to suit

up and practice all through high

school.

Even though she rode the bench

during actual competition, Sarah

Beth served as a leader and inspira-

tion to her teammates. In her final

season, she was briefly allowed to

go into a couple of games and came

through with two three-pointers

Courage And Perseverance Rewarded

Class Rings Presented

Mary Katherine Hartman receives her ring as Lauren

Smith looks on.

Thirty-four juniors received their class rings at spe-

cial ceremonies held April 27 during the all-school

Mass.

Father Robert Cigainero presented the rings to

each student as an accompanying senior handed off a

candle as the symbolic passing of a leadership torch.

(more pictures on page 5 ) Details on page 2

Thanking Our Priests

Bulldog Spirit

2

Interact Club Rewards Service By Connor Harrell

Twenty-four St. Joseph High

School students who belong to its

Interact Club recently received Com-

munity Service Awards. They were

distributed during the club’s annual

picnic held at the Don Owens Sports

Complex on April 8. The awards are

given to those members who earn

service hour requirements that bene-

fit their school, church, and commu-

nity.

The Interact Club is affiliated with

Rotary International and the Conway

Rotary Club. It gives students ages

12-18 the chance to make a differ-

ence while having fun through vari-

ous service projects. These include

one that promotes international un-

derstanding. Social Studies teacher

Betsy Beacham is the club sponsor.

The awards went to— 7th Grade:

Shannon Trantina, Michael Shofner,

and Becca Chamoun 8th Grade:

Matthew Shofner 9th grade: Alexis

Roach, Drew Lewis, Mattie Elsinger,

Mason Elsinger, and Brittany Wood-

son 10th Grade: Chloe Kordsmeier,

Bridget Porcaro, Olivia Huett, Julia

Hambuchen, Caroline Hambuchen,

Audrey Ferrari, Marley Spradlin, and

Abby McKenna 11th Grade: Mary

Kathrine Hartman, Breanna Wood-

son, Matthew McWilliams, Zach

Martins, and Daniel Kordsmeier

12th Grade: Tillar Lewis and Lauren

Smith.

Pictured above are some of the Interact Club

members with their awards. At right, Ms.

Beacham is seen distributing them.

Rappin’ For Religion

Freshmen Mary Pham and Jacinta Murphy

recently teamed on a “morality project”

for religion teacher Theresa Lutes. They co

-wrote and performed a rap song entitled

“Jesus, Not Drugs.” The text of their

message follows:

The name’s Pray-Z, and no I’m not a

thug, I’m here to evangelize the truth on

drugs. There’s many bad info that I can

say, to teach you the one and only Christian

way.

Alcohol’s not a drug, a common

Misconception. It slows down vital

functions, and even your perception.

As a matter of fact, it’s the most

addictive drug. The side effects of alcohol

can get very ugly

But wait, Jesus turned water to wine!

A miracle yes, if not taken out of line.

After all, overindulgence is a sin.

You must keep your body sacred from

within.

When consumed as a youth, with an

underdeveloped brain, it will negatively

affect the ability to retain. This also goes

for tobacco and all other drugs. It’s a very

important fact, and not something you

should shrug.

Remember to be careful, when you go to

a party. That you have a curfew, not good

to be tardy. Staying up late and drinking

alcohol, is a really quick way for a lifetime

downfall.

God loved you by sending His only son.

to come down from Heaven and to teach

you how it’s done. Never once did He

smoke, snort, or inject dangerous

substances that causes health defects.

Drugs are not fun, it has many bad

Effects. It can put you in a coma or maybe

even death. Before you hurt your health

and your wealth, consider life a blessing

and be good to yourself.

Methamphetamine, ketamine, and even

the green, can cause hallucinations that cannot be

unseen.

Stimulants or depressants, you still gotta’ repent

it.

LSD, ecstasy, cocaine, and cannabis, the only

good results are outweighed by the risk. 420 blaze

it? I say 420 praise it. The only high is Heaven, so

I say we should raise it.

Don’t let your “friends” offer you a hit, the only

thing you could pass is the collection basket. $20

for just a gram? Donate that to the Christian fam

God gave you free will to choose, don’t spend it

on booze. You got something to lose, just a little is

enough to get carried away. And if you take too

much, it is your life you will pay

Don’t put the O.D. in the G.O.D. Life is a gift

and without drugs you can see, ignore temptation,

listen to what Jesus said. Nobody wants to die

known as a crackhead.

‘Cause once you try drugs, it will become your

life. It will distract you from your one and only

Christ. For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand

firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke

of slavery.

Word!

Jacinta Murphy and Mary Pham

Pastor Appreciation (from page 1)

Fathers John Marconi & Robert Cigainero received cards and thanks from well-wishing

students and faculty on May 4. Our priests were applauded for the wonderful work

they’ve done here, and prayers were sent their way as they move on to new parishes.

Bulldog Spirit

Science Night on March 18th attracted a variety of ex- hibits and interested spectators 3

Southern Nights: A Prom Portfolio By Kaitlyn Shockley & Bridget Porcaro

Bulldog Spirit

4

Dissections Prepare Students For Experiences In Medicine

Sophomores Marley Spradlin and

Lauren Holbrook dissect a fish in

biology class.

As Maggie Bain dissects a cat in anatomy class,

teacher Jim Belote shows her how to inflate its

lungs.

Mary Rose Siebenmorgen and

Maggie Bain remove organs

from the cat.

Animal dissections are a routine part

of biology and anatomy classes here

at St. Joseph. “We do the cat in anat-

omy due to similarities in humans,”

teacher Jim Belote says. “We do the

fish in biology as part of a

comparative survey of the animal

kingdom.” Yet there groups around

the country that don’t think such

dissections are appropriate.

“Animal dissection might wreak

emotional havoc on impressionable

teens,” one dissenter wrote. Others

cite examples of high schoolers en-

gaging in lurid antics with dead ani-

mals on social media. Some academi-

cians says computer programs and

other alternatives teacher just as well

as real dissections.

“Historically, dissection is essential

to understanding anatomy,” Mr. Be-

lote said. “Medical students still dis-

sect cadavers. (How would you like

to have a surgeon that hasn’t seen the

inside of an actual body?) Some high

school students, however, are uncom-

fortable with it. In my classes, no

student is ever forced to perform a

dissection. I also often find simulated

dissections on-line and use those as

practice for students., of for students

who cannot do the real thing. However, in my

experience most students want to perform the

dissections, see what the organs truly look like,

touch the specimen (with gloves of course) and

explore. It is my hope that through animal dis-

sections we prepare students for future experi-

ences in medicine. One of my former students,

who is now in medical school, recently told me

That the cadaver ’reminds me of the cat we dis-

sected in your anatomy class.’ “

The F.C.C.L.A. Club toured the

Arkansas Governors Mansion in

Little Rock on April 22nd. That was

followed by a visit to The Altitude

Trampoline Park.

The purpose of the mansion trip

was to see how it’s run and what

kinds of leadership activities occur

there. During the Club’s time at the

home, the members met Arkansas

First Lady Susan Hutchinson. She

shared some of her experiences and

talked about the need for leaders.

The Trampoline Park offered bond-

ing opportunities for the Club, where

there were 200 inter-connected tram-

polines and Arkansas’ largest foam

pit.

Mary Rose Siebenmorgen and Brianna

Covington at the Governor’s Mansion gate.

Emily

Hambuchen

does a

somersault

at Altitude

Trampoline

Park.

Club Visits Governor’s Home By Bridget Porcaro

Bulldog Spirit

5

Faculty Funnies

By Gabby Hathaway and Sawyer Lagasse

Bulldog Spirit

6

High School Profiles APRIL FOOL’S EDITION By: Sam Burgener

Zach Moore

Grant Merkel Tristin Harper

1. What is your best

April Fool’s joke?

2. How do you feel about

Art II being a required

class?

3. Are you ready for

summer school to be

assigned?

1. How do you feel about

no more off-campus

lunch?

-Lilly

1. Telling someone their

shoe is untied.

2. I’m not good at art

3. ???

4. :(

Lilly Hill

-Grant

1. I have never played a

joke on anyone.

2. I love it!

3. I don’t care.

4. I love it!!

-Gus

1. Switch cereal boxes.

2. Stay as an elective.

3. NOOOOO!

4. Bad and not fair.

-Tristin

1. I don’t do jokes.

2. That’s kind of stupid

and weird.

3. I’m a senior, and I

am ready to get out.

4. It’s sorta’ sad, but it

does not bother me.

Gus Longing

Bulldog Spirit

7

High School Profiles April Fool’s Edition By: Sam Burgener

Jack Briggler

Brent Yrle Emily Flake

Matthew McWilliams

-Brent

1. I’ve never done one.

2. OH, NO!

3. NO!

4. That’s kind of weird.

-Jack

1. Can’t remember, I have

done so many.

2. Stay an elective.

3. No!

4. NOT FAIR!

-Matthew

1. Ha!, school…..

2. Left as a choice.

3. What?

4. Unfortunate, since I

will be a senior next

year.

-Emily

1. I never do jokes.

2. Leave it as an

elective.

3. WHAT!!!!

4. It’s not fair!

1. What is your best April

Fool’s joke?

2. How do you feel about

Art II being a required

class?

3. Are you ready for sum-

mer school to be

assigned?

4. How do you feel about

no more off-campus

lunch?

Bulldog Spirit

8

Kool Carz By Connor Harrell and Owen Echols

Madison Beck’s 2014 Jeep

Wrangler

Bulldog Spirit: How fast can it go?

Madison: 140 k m/hr

Bulldog Spirit: What kind of tires?

Madison: BF Goodrich All Terrains.

Bulldog Spirit: Any lift?

Madison: Nope, just tire height.

Bulldog Spirit: What size wheels and

tires?

Madison: 17 inch wheels, 255/75R17

Bulldog: How many guys can you fit

into the vehicle?

Madison: If you ask me, not enough.

Bulldog: Oh wow, okay!

Stats

Year/Make/Model: 2014 Jeep Wrangler

Engine: 4.0L V6

Drivetrain: 4WD

HP/Torque: 285/260 ft./lb

Bulldog Spirit: Anything else you

want to add?

Madison: This thing is a beast of a

machine. It has loads of power, and

I just love to go mudding in it all the

time. Great for off-roading too.

Seniors Bring Best Friends To Dogs to School

(above) Brandi Evans with Millie, an

Australian Shepherd puppy.

(left) Connor Harrell with Boozer, an

Australian/German Shepherd mix

Maggie Bain with Junebug, a Terrier

mix, and Mary Rose

Siebenmorgen with Chicklet, a Jack

Russell Terrier.

Jake Spradlin with Blue, an Australian Shepherd.

Bulldog Spirit

Mrs. Mary Joe Seiter

9

Bulldog Spirit

10

Bulldog Spirit

If sticker is present in circle go to your school office to 11

Bulldog Spirit

Johnnie Watson said:

1. I had always wanted one, but it was a surprise when I got it because I still had six months before I turned 16. 12

Bulldog Spirit

Brent Bruich, our new head boys basketball coach, says he’s very excited in his new role. “I’ve always dreamed of

coaching my Alma Mater,” he said. “ I want to keep the St. Joe basketball tradition.” 13

Bulldog Spirit

We’re four weeks into deer season and two juniors from St. Joseph School have killed deer. Jesse Light

and Garrett x hunted in Perry and Conway Counties, re- spectively, and brought down eight and nine point 14

Bulldog Spirit

Dear St. Joseph students,

This past August I had the great blessing to make a pilgrimage to Cologne, Germany for the XX World

15

Bulldog Spirit

The St. Joseph Bowling Teams began their second season with wins against Mt. Vernon on November

30th at Conway Bowl. High school civics teacher Mike Angel started the competition last year.

“We expect to improve on the girls State Runner-Up and the boy’s Third Place finish that were achieved 16

Bulldog Spirit

The St. Joseph Bowling Teams began their second season with wins against Mt. Vernon on November

30th at Conway Bowl. High school civics teacher Mike Angel started the competition last year.

“We expect to improve on the girls State Runner-Up and the boy’s Third Place finish that were achieved 17

Bulldog Spirit

Bulldog Spirit

Bulldog Spirit

The St. Joseph Bowling Teams began their second season with wins against Mt. Vernon on November 30th

at Conway Bowl. High school civics teacher Mike Angel started the competition last year.

“We expect to improve on the girls State Runner-Up and the boy’s Third Place finish that were achieved last

20