dpa spring issue

Pages 1-5: Articles

Page 6: Poetry

Pages 7-14: Stories

5-16: Recipes

Pages 17-18: Photos

Deo Patriae Amicis

A Newsletter for Seton High Schoolers

Inside

Spring Issue 2012

Photo by Natalie Kellner

Ph

oto by Mary S

chm

itt

How is it they live in such harmony - the billions of stars - when most men can barely go a minute without declaring war in their minds about someone they know. ~St. Thomas Aquinas

DPA ~ Spring Issue 2012

2

Integer metus.

Lorem. byline [Name]

What is God’s Plan for Each of Us? It's the end of February and I am getting to the point where school is becoming stressful. Why you may ask? The reason is I am senior, which means if I want to attend the graduation in May, I have only 3 months to finish. Only 3 months until I am a graduate, my dream come true! Alas, why do I feel like it’s too close? Wishing it was maybe another year? Have you ever stood before a door and wondered what lay on the other side? Or paused when you walked into a dark room looking for a source of light instead of walking blind? This is what I feel now as doors of opportunity are opened before me, and doors from the past are closed. Although I may have complained and whined about the course load Seton has inflicted upon me for the past 12 years, I cannot say I did not like school. In fact, I will miss it when next September comes and I find myself in a classroom. For the last 12 years if someone had asked me what I was doing next year, I could have said, “I will be home doing school.” Now they ask what my plans are, and I am called to realize I will not be “home doing school.” I will be hours from home, hours from life as I have always known and it leaves me in doubt... Am I doing the right thing? Am I ready to leave in less than a year? Why go to college now? The only escape I find from this is to remember: God has a plan and all we need to do is follow the directions. His directions are like those of a GPS: If we get off track, there is always a way to get back on course as long as we hear the voice telling us get back on track. God is not an umpire looking for the three strikes to declare us out. He gave us freewill and is infinitely merciful, so that as long as we fall he will hold out his hand to help us back up. All we need to do is grab it. Now I come to my family: imagine a zoo, a party, and a ordinary family all mixed into one and you might have the right idea. To leave them now for a modern day jungle I feel confident armed with lessons learned as part of a family of twelve, and with the Lord at my side I trust I can repel even the greatest of the devil's advances. So, with that, I ask you to pray for me as I take the first step of the rest of my life, and I will pray for you so that you too may know the directions written on your plan. - Chris Black

Articles


3

Sed Ipsum Augue?

All around the country, there are volunteers working for the Greyhound Rescue and Rehabilitation (GRR), an organization dedicated to finding homes for greyhounds. The organization was started eleven years ago by Christina Johnson. The purpose of the group is to take in greyhounds that retire from racing or can no longer race because of injuries, and find them loving homes. In the short time that GRR has been around, it has found homes for about 900 of these dogs. Greyhounds are loving dogs that require little care, and have quite a background.

When the GRR receives greyhounds that need a home, they first put them in a foster home. These foster homes are where the greyhounds are taught to live in a home; while racing, greyhounds spend about twenty-two hours a day in metal crates, so they are not used to a house environment. When put in a foster home, greyhounds are taught such things as to avoid pools, sliding doors, cars, and how to go up and down stairs. Once the greyhound has adjusted to living in a home with people, it is put up for adoption, and the foster family is free to adopt the dog if they wish. While fostering the greyhound, the family finds out what kind of personality the dog has. When someone requests to adopt one, a member of the GRR goes to the family’s home, sees what kind of lifestyle they have, how many kids and if they have other pets, and then picks a greyhound that would suit the family. With their racing background many people think greyhounds need large yards to run around in. However, these dogs can live perfectly fine in an apartment or a condominium, they are very calm dogs that shed very little. In addition, they can live in any kind of weather, although it is recommended to put a sweater on them in the colder months since they have very little fur. Clearly greyhounds are very easy dogs to take care of.

The GRR gets greyhounds from about 25 race tracks across the country. The dogs begin their careers at about eighteen months, and usually until they are about five years old unless they retire early because of injuries. Greyhounds usually race two to three times a week. They are called the

Greyhound Rescue and Rehabilitation

by Ashley Miller

Articles


4

“45 mile per hour couch potato” because they can run up to 45 miles per hour, yet when at home they usually just lay around all day. Because of the leg muscles these dogs have, they usually cannot sit, only stand and lay down. Because they are used to racing, they will chase most anything that moves, and therefore cannot be let outside without a leash unless they are in a fenced in area. The usual life-span for greyhounds is twelve to fourteen years old, although some have lived longer.

The greyhound also has an interesting background. This breed of dog dates back to about 6,000 years ago to the time of the Egyptians. Back then, only the Pharaoh and his family were allowed to own them. In addition, they are the only dog breed mentioned by name in the Bible.

For more information on Greyhound Rescue and Rehabilitation, visit www.Greyhoundrescuerehab.org

Articles



5

2012 by Kaleb Wersland

Well here we are, living in the dreaded 2012. We were supposed to die, but then Tim Tebow came along and God thought He would give us a little more time. God bless that man. With every new year comes a reality refresher in a sense. It is a time when we can either forget everything that happened just two days ago, build on something learned five months earlier, or change the entire direction of your life, for better or worse. It is opportunity. New goals are made, knowledge applied, ambitions sought. Also, bad choices can be made, despair can be accepted, and life can become a bleak, dark hole without purpose, worth, or beauty. The choice is ours to make.

For some, (including myself) 2011 was a year to forget, with a lot of bad luck; for others it was a year full of blessings, one to remember for the rest of their lives. Either way, one cannot dwell on the past and become wrapped up in mistakes made or fortune gained. Reality does not stand still: it continues to flow, so do not let the present pass you by. Yet, the same can be said for the future. With a new year comes the anticipation of what will the time ahead will bring, which can also cause a check-out from reality. Even if 2011 was a low point in your life,

really try hard to think of the positive; positive results can come from anything, even if it doesn't seem that way directly. Store the good things of 2011 in your memory locker, flush the bad stuff down the drain where you can never remember them again, but remember the lessons learned from the bad. Then take all this knowledge and apply it to your present; live in the moment, and live life to the fullest.

Let's make a resolution to try to be the best that WE can be, and not compare what we do to what others can do. Remember that we only have one life to live, so take advantage of it. Do something unexpected, go skydiving, help someone out, tell someone you love them, play video games with your annoying brother, but don't do anything that will get you killed, thrown in prison for life, or sent to sprinkles; that wouldn't be good. Have short memory: acknowledge the fact that you are going to make mistakes and that bad things are going to happen, and leave them in the past when they happen, but take a lesson from them. Remember there is a reason for everything, even though we might not know it, there is Someone who does, and He is always looking out for you.

So I wish the world an entirely happy and fun-filled New Year. Let's open up the new book and start filling in the blank pages. Every moment is a gift, so let's live everyday like it was the last. God bless America and God Bless Tim Tebow.

Articles


6

Poems By Nadine Ng

Writing poems is hard,

Especially for me. So save yourself the trouble,

And go play Wii. If you don’t have one,

Go and cook. If you don’t want to,

Read a book. If you’re too lazy to do even

this, Read this short story,

Written by my sis.

Poetry


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Stories


8

The Onyx Legacy part 3....to be continued

Are you ready to enter another world? Nick smiled to himself. The game definitely looked cool. He opened the box and pulled the game cartridge out. He slid it into his PSP and turned it on. A question popped up.

Do you want to be a part of the Onyx Legacy? Yes or No

Nick chose “yes.”

What is your name? ____________

Nick raised an eyebrow. “I always thought choosing a name came after the intro to the game.” He keyed in 789gamefreak.

How many siblings do you have? Please specify. __ girls, boys, or boys and girls?

“Okay, this is weird. Man, this game is a lot more like Facebook than a videogame,” he muttered. He answered 4. He felt the urge to put two sisters and two foster brothers, but there wasn’t any option.

Have you previously had an interest in onyxes?

Yes or No Nick never really cared about rocks or colors. He liked videogames. “No.”

Are you adopted?

Yes or No Nick started. What kind of game was this? Why was it asking really private questions? He hesitated, but answered it truthfully. He clicked “yes.”

Stories


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What was the first letter of your last name before you were adopted? a b c d e f g h i j k l

m n o p q r s t u v w x y z

Nick stared at the screen. He didn’t know what his last name was. Only Cassidy knew. Every time he or Kate asked her, she’d tell them that it wasn’t important. He started to stand up to ask Cassidy, but the screen suddenly went black. Nick checked the power. It was still full. He was about to turn the power off, when numbers and codes suddenly started popping up on the screen. The lights in his room went on and off, and fire alarms started going off. “Cassidy!” he heard Kate shout. “What is going on?!” He heard Kate run down the stairs. Kate screamed. “Let go of her!” Cassidy yelled. Nick rushed to his sisters, his PSP hanging around his neck. When he reached the living room, he saw three people restraining his sisters. “Nick!” Kate screamed. “Call 911! Do something! Don’t just stand there and stare!” Kate yelled at him, along with a string of insults. The person holding Cassidy faced Nick. She pushed her chestnut hair from her face and spoke with gentle voice. “I know this is too much to ask when I’m pinning your sister down, but could you please try to calm her. We’re trying to help you after all.” Nick stared at her. The lady was beautiful, to say the least. She had dark, coffee-colored eyes and curly brown hair. Her face was totally unblemished. Kate was annoyed at her brother. “Nick! CALL 911! Can’t you see that there are a bunch of burglars trying to rob our house?! Go!” One of the men carrying Kate muttered. “Burglars? Seriously, Evelyn, this girl is really annoying! Can’t we just take the other two?” The woman, Evelyn, shook her head. “No. You know our orders, Callum. Nathan, please try to calm him down.” The other man nodded his head. Evelyn released Cassidy from her grip. Cassidy stumbled away and stood beside Nick. “Who are you and

Stories


10

What are you doing in our house? You’re here to kidnap us, aren’t you?” Evelyn gave Nick an expectant look. After a few seconds of silence, she spoke. “What was in the game?” she gestured toward the PSP hanging around his neck. “What was in there that caused the fluctuations in the electricity?” Cassidy stared at her brother with wide eyes. “What is she talking about?” “Tell us what you saw in there, Nick,” Evelyn said calmly. “Something bad might happen to you and your siblings if you don’t.” Nick didn’t want to make Cassidy feel bad about the gift she bought, but he thought Evelyn was threatening them so he decided to answer. “When I started the game, it asked really weird questions. I answered them all truthfully, but then it suddenly went black. Then letters and numbers started popping up. I wasn’t even able to play the game yet because I heard Kate scream.” Evelyn, Callum, and Nathan glanced at each other. “What kind of codes did you see?” Evelyn asked. Cassidy looked at Nick, then at Evelyn. “Wait a second! Why do we have to tell you anything?” she asked, her eyebrows furrowing. “Cassidy,” Nick said, “didn’t you hear what she said? She said that they’d make something bad happen to us.” Evelyn’s eyebrows shot up. “I didn’t say that!” Cassidy and Nick looked at her. “We’d never do something like that to you. We’re not going to hurt you. Someone else is! You are the Onyx children after all.” Cassidy, Nick, and Kate started. The younger siblings looked at their sister. So that was why she bought The Onyx Legacy game, Nick thought. “Eww!” Kate made a face. “That’s our last name? I always thought it would be nicer than that.” Cassidy ignored her. “I didn’t want to tell you guys about it yet,” she sighed. “Every time I hear our name, memories pop up inside my head. Bad memories. I don’t want to talk about it!”

Stories


11

“Would you like some water?” Therese asked.

“I think that I am better now,” I said. “We should get back in the mix of people before your mother finds us here- don’t you think so?”

“I forgot about that!” Therese said with a sigh.

As we started across the floor again, I came up with a grand idea. “Therese, what if you introduced me to some people?”

Therese brightened up quickly at that notion. “That is a wonderful idea, Kathleen! Oh- and that reminds me about something I completely forgot to do! Come along!” With that, she tugged me quickly to another part of the room.

“Well, what mischief are you up to now?” I asked teasingly when Therese came to a complete stop.

“I wasn’t going to do this if Thomas was here, but since he isn’t…”

“What is it that Thomas wouldn’t like?” I asked with a frown.

Part 2….to be continued “Are you alright, Kathleen?” Theresa asked with worry. “I am fine, Theresa,” I said while trying to recover myself. “Thomas just cannot come today, and I have a headache probably from that illness that I had before.” “It is the one from weeks ago? Dear me, was it that bad?” Theresa asked with compassion. “It was pretty bad,” I said knowing that this headache was not at all related to the illness.

Stories


12

“Don’t look like that, Kathleen! You will soon understand! Stay here- don’t move!” she commanded as she released her hold of my hand.

I stood there- puzzled. What was it that Thomas wouldn’t like? Was it something bad or good ? Obviously, Therese believed it to be the latter, but I still didn’t feel good about it. I realized I had a right to feel this when I saw the person Therese was bringing to me.

“Miss Kathleen Hall, I would like you to meet Mr. Robert Davis. Mr. Robert Davis, I would like you to meet Miss Kathleen Hall.” Therese stepped back quickly from the two of us and watched expectantly.

Our cold gazes met almost immediately. We had met once before- and after that meeting, I had prayed that I would never see him again. Yet here he was- and I had been forced to meet him. There was nothing that I could do.

In the bottom of my heart, I knew it wasn’t Therese’s fault. This was one of the few things that I had decided to refrain from relating to her. Now, I wished that the girl realized what she had done.

A cold, “How do you do, Miss Hall?” soon reached my ears. I returned the question as coldly as I possibly could.

“May I have the honor of having the next dance with you?” was his next question.

I stood dumb-struck for a few seconds. I couldn’t understand why he did that. Yet, I agreed to the proposition so as to be able to find a way for him to quickly leave for a while.

“I would be honored- but if you will please excuse me until the dance. I must get a glass of water.”

He nodded briskly, and I happily saw him leave. Well, it was only a temporary happiness- I had to dance the next dance with him.

I looked over at Therese, hoping that she had not witnessed what had passed between Davis and me. To my greatest surprise, I found her talking to a young man and accepting to dance the next dance with him. I decided to leave as soon as possible so as not to disturb their eager conversation.

I stood there- puzzled. What was it that Thomas wouldn’t like? Was it something bad or good ? Obviously, Therese believed it to be the latter, but I still didn’t feel good about it. I realized I had a right to feel this when I saw the person Therese was bringing to me.

“Miss Kathleen Hall, I would like you to meet Mr. Robert Davis. Mr. Robert Davis, I would like you to meet Miss Kathleen Hall.” Therese stepped back quickly from the two of us and watched expectantly.

Stories


13

Our cold gazes met almost immediately. We had met once before- and after that meeting, I had prayed that I would never see him again. Yet here he was- and I had been forced to meet him. There was nothing that I could do.

In the bottom of my heart, I knew it wasn’t Therese’s fault. This was one of the few things that I had decided to refrain from relating to her. Now, I wished that the girl realized what she had done.

A cold, “How do you do, Miss Hall?” soon reached my ears. I returned the question as coldly as I possibly could.

“May I have the honor of having the next dance with you?” was his next question.

I stood dumb-struck for a few seconds. I couldn’t understand why he did that. Yet, I agreed to the proposition so as to be able to find a way for him to quickly leave for a while.

“I would be honored- but if you will please excuse me until the dance. I must get a glass of water.”

He nodded briskly, and I happily saw him leave. Well, it was only a temporary happiness- I had to dance the next dance with him.

I looked over at Therese, hoping that she had not witnessed what had passed between Davis and me. To my greatest surprise, I found her talking to a young man and accepting to dance the next dance with him. I decided to leave as soon as possible so as not to disturb their eager conversation.

Before I could recollect my senses to focus on what I myself was doing, I felt cold air against my skin. Davis had led me slyly out of the house into the dark night. I tried to get out of Mr. Davis’ grasp. Being out in the open alone with him was the last thing I wanted. Yet, he would not let go of me. Instead, he dragged me around to a secluded part of the Castilian’s property and pinned me against the wall. I tried to free myself in vain. “Do you realize why I am here, Kathleen?” I heard him say with vigor. “You came to have the best entertainment that there is to offer?” I asked, trying to buy time.

Stories


14

He snickered, “This is puny compared to what Paris can give.”

I flinched at the sound of his voice. “Well, then why are you here- may I ask?” I questioned, trying to keep myself calm.

“You know what your father did to mine- he took away his chance to become famous!” Davis replied with emotion.

“My father simply won a debate against your father,” I countered.

“You may think what you want- but I think differently,” he replied.

“So, what do you want?” I asked- realizing that it would be best to get to the point. “Last time, I recall it was a great amount of money.”

“Unfortunately, that money never came because of your father’s timely intervention,” he said with feeling. “But now all of that is different.”

“I don’t have any money,” I said truthfully.

“Really?” he said thoughtfully as he pressed a hidden sword against my neck.

“Really,” I said trying not to move or breathe.

“Well, there is only one thing left of value to your father then,” he answered placidly.

“What?” I said hoarsely?

Yet, before he could answer, I felt the sword leave my throat and heard something land onto the ground with a thud.

I gasped for breath, but I didn’t seem to be able to fill my empty lungs fast enough. I found myself falling into darkness…

Stories


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Fudgey Special Dark Brownies1 from Isabella Plas

What you wil l need:

¾ cup Hershey's Cocoa ½ teaspoon baking soda 2/3 cup butter or margarine, melted and divided ½ cup boiling water 2 cups sugar 2 eggs 1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon vanilla extract ¼ teaspoon salt 1 cup Hershey's special dark chocolate chips What to do: 1. Heat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease 13” by 9” by 2- inch baking pan. 2. Stir together cocoa and baking soda in large bowl; stir in 1/3 cup butter. Add boiling water; stir until

mixture thickens. Stir in sugar, eggs, and remaining 1/3 cup butter; stir until smooth. Add flour, vanilla, and salt; blend completely. Stir in chocolate chips. Pour into prepared pan.

3. Bake 35-40 minutes or until brownies begin to pull away from sides of pan. Cool completely in pan on wire rack. Frost, if desired. Cut into squares.

“Especial ly Dark” Chocolate Frosting2

What you wil l need: ½ cup (1stick) butter or margarine 2/3 cup Hershey’s special dark cocoa 3 cups powdered sugar 1/3 cup milk 1 teaspoon vanilla extract What to do: Melt butter. Stir in cocoa Alternately add powdered sugar and milk,beating to spreading consistency. Add small amount additional milk, if needed. Stir in vanilla.

Tips

You can use any cocoa but it will not be as dark. You can also use any chocolate chips. You can also use non-dairy items. Rice milk works good. Enjoy!!! 1Found in the cookbook: Hershey's 3 Books in 1, page 73 2Found in the cookbook: Hershey's 3 Books in 1, page 121

Recipes


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Russian Tea Balls by Mary Schmitt

This is a quick, easy recipe which results in a delicious little short bread cookie, a perfect afternoon snack.

Ingredients:

1 cup soft butter

½ cup powdered sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 ¼ cup flour

¼ teaspoon salt

Walnuts

Combine ingredients, and form into into round balls. Bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-12 minutes. After the cookies have cooled, fill a gallon size bag with about an inch or two of powdered sugar. Put several cookies in the bag with the powdered sugar and shake the bag to cover all the cookies completely. Do this with all the cookies and then eat them.

Recipes


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Photos

Photo by Mary Schmitt

In the end, it’s

not going to

matter how

many breaths

you took, but

how many

moments took

your breath

away

- Shing Xiong.

No matter how far wrong you’ve gone you can always turn around. ~Anonymous


18

Photo by Kyrie Kellner


Be smart enough to hold on. Be brave enough to let go. -Anonymous

When one door

closes, another

opens; but we often

look so long and so

regretfully

upon the closed

door that we do not

see the one which has

opened for us

– Alexander Graham

Bell

Send your essays, articles, stories, poems, recipes, and pictures to: [email protected]

Contributors:

~Chris Black ~ ~ Ashley Miller ~

~Kaleb Wersland ~ ~Nadine Ng ~ ~Mara Ng ~

~ Lea ~ ~ Isabella Plas ~ ~ Mary Schmitt ~ ~Natalie Kellner ~ ~ Kyrie Kellner ~

Manager: Ashley Miller

Assistant Manager: Stephanie Miller

Editor: Natalie Kellner

Submissions Approval: Chris Black

Design: Ashley Miller

Credits

Thank you all for your submissions!!

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