Volume 56 Number 2

the student newspaper of bishop eustace preparatory school . route 70 pennsauken, new jersey 08109 the student newspaper of bishop eustace preparatory school . route 70 pennsauken, new jersey 08109 the student newspaper of bishop eustace preparatoryt h e e u s t a c i a n

Every year, Bishop Eustace celebrates Christmas by decorating the campus in the spirit of the season. We all know that we put up a tree and hang snowflakes in the library. However, have you ever wondered about the origin of our traditions? Recently, I interviewed Principal Bleistine to find out the history behind some of the Eustace Christmas customs.

The tradition of having a Christmas tree in the library began when Brother Jim became headmaster in the 2003-2004 school year. The tree is donated each year by Paul May who owns a tree farm in Delanco and whose son, Ken May, graduated in 2001. Every year, Brother prepares a theme for the tree,

The Eustace Christmas TraditionBy Ronald Berna ‘14

and freshmen hand-craft all ornaments for service. This year, the seventeen-foot tall tree is covered in Hershey’s kisses, gumdrops, and candy canes for a Candy Land theme.

While the tree is probably the most noticeable aspect of Eustace’s decorating, the entire community contributes to preparing for the holiday. Every year, the snowflakes are put up by the maintenance men over Thanksgiving break. In addition, Mrs. Croce and Mrs. Botis direct the Student Library Association in decorating the bulletin boards in the Lulli Library. Furthermore, Mrs. Wilson and Mrs. Failey help students capture the spirit of the holiday by playing Christmas music in the cafeteria during lunch

periods. Finally, the newest edition to the Eustace tradition, the manger in front of the Pallottine residence, was bought with the proceeds from last year’s candy gram sales. Undoubtedly, this will become a defining aspect of our Christmas preparations in the years to come.

Principal Bleistein hopes that the effort put into decorating the campus is enjoyed by all students, and hopes that they not only admire the decorations, but also remember the meaning behind them. All the decorations are on campus to remind us of the origin of Christmas, the birth of Jesus. Though it is easy to lose sight of the true meaning of Christmas, one should always take a moment to connect our festivities to the meaning for our holiday and the reason for our school.

You must have noticed the Nativity scene in front of the Pallottine residence. This wonderful addition to our school decorations was purchased with the money earned from the sale of candy-grams in the past year. Last year’s candy-grams brought smiles to students and staff alike, and now the new Nativity scene will bring happiness to us here at Bishop Eustace for years to come as we pass by it on our daily routines. It is

On December 11th at the Fall Awards Ceremony, the community gathered in the Field House to celebrate the honors that the students earned this fall in academics, athletics, and music. In addition to the individual honors, Mr. Bleisteine presented the Brooks-Irvine Sportsmanship Award that the Eustace football team earned to student council president John Elmer, who accepted it on behalf of the team and the school.

Other awards went to the members of the state champion field hockey team, the boys’ conference champion soccer team, the girls’

The Nativity Scene Arrives at EustaceBy Molly McBride ‘14

exciting to have a new tradition in decorating here at Eustace like the tree and snowflakes in the library. Let the scene remind you of the true meaning of Christmas each time you pass it: the celebration of Jesus the Light coming into the world to save us from our sins. I cannot wait to see if there will be any new additions brought to us by the sales of candy-grams this year!

The Fall Awards CeremonyBy Elizabeth Bowman ‘14

soccer team, the South Jersey champion girls’ tennis team, cheerleading, football, and fall track. Many seniors were recognized for earning National Merit Scholarships for their high scores on the PSATS, and senior Dan Metrick won the Scholar-Athlete Award. Especially honored for their musical talents were Sam and Allan Wang. The brothers made the All South Jersey Orchestra, and Allan achieved a place in the All Eastern Honors Orchestra.

Congratulations to all the athletes, scholars, and musicians that were honored at the Fall Awards Ceremony!

movies.music.fun.friends.my views. books. restaurants.horoscopes.opinions.fashion.art.travel.entertainment.movies.music.fun.friends.my views. books. restaurants.horoscopes.opinions.fashion.art.travel.entertainment.movies.music.fun.friends.my views. books. restaurants.

f e a t u r e s .

One Stop Shop: Black Friday

By Jessica Miller ‘13The Friday after Thanksgiving is known

as the biggest shopping day of the year. The Cherry Hill Mall this year was the perfect place to get everything on your Christmas list. Over 55 stores opened at midnight and even earlier, and there were many great deals! Ann Taylor offered 50% off items from midnight to 12pm. Armani Exchange took off $50 if you spent $150 or more. BCBG had a 50% off sale on all boots, sweaters and outerwear! Bare Escentuals offered discounts on some of their most popular items like the make- you- glow kit, which dropped from $85 to $45, and they also gave a $20 coupon to anyone who spent $50 or more. Build-a- Bear offered a gingerbread boy/girl for only $5 and clothes for an additional $5! For all you Pandora or Chamilia charm bracelet lovers, Chamilia offered 30% off 100 selected charms. An early bird special was offered at Guess, taking 30% off full- priced items and an additional 40% off sale- priced items, but only until 12 noon! If all that shopping made you tired, you could stop by Bare Escentuals for refreshment and Aunties Anne’s pretzels for a great buy- two- get- one- free deal! So for all you late- starters, go out and get all your holiday shopping done, and good luck!

Wreck-It Ralph Soars to the Top of the Charts and Our

HeartsBy Nicholas Vespe’13

You know that feeling when you hype something up so much, you get to thinking, man, nothing can be this good? Well, Wreck-It Ralph is that good. When Wreck-It Ralph came along, I saw Bowser from Mario brothers, Sonic the Hedgehog, and the all- beloved Q-Bert are all in it, and my inner geek was so excited to see this and, boy, this movie did not disappoint. And John C. Reilly, one of my favorite actors ever, is doing the voice of the main character. It’s almost like this movie was made just for me. It had everything I look for in a movie: great character development, interesting plots (that all miraculously come together at the end), amazing acting, beautiful setting and much more. I could not find a single flaw- even the Skrillex song was used tastefully! There’s a certain part in the movie that I’ll just refer to as the betrayal, to not spoil anything, and that’s when I knew this was a real winner. No longer are you just laughing with these characters you’re emotionally with them on this journey and it’s really a tear- jerker at this point as well. (Sophomore in college, Dene Vespe did, in fact, cry). If you haven’t seen it, don’t read up on

The one question everyone ponders once or twice during the Holiday Season is “will this year really be a white Christmas?” Ever since a young age, we are brought up to believe that on Christmas Eve massive amounts of snow will gently fall down, and when we wake up to see all the presents Santa Claus has delivered, our very own house will be covered in a winter wonderland. But has that ever really happened? I mean yes, snow has fallen BEFORE Christmas, therefore giving us the illusion of the “perfect white Christmas” yet that just- right snowstorm has never quite fallen on the eve of Christmas.

Even the Holiday carol I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas has us singing along to the

Are College Sports Right for You?

By Cameron Lindh ‘13Thinking about whether or not to continue

a sport in college is a huge decision. There are many things to consider: Do I like the sport that much? Will I have a successful sports career in college? Can I maintain my grades? Am I good enough to play at that level? This problem faces many athletes in high school and isn’t easy to solve. The best way to decide is to think about what you want out of your future. If you have passion for the game and love the sport, continuing would be the better decision. College sports are a big commitment and you have to ask yourself if you’re up for the challenge. Maintaining a solid GPA is hard enough for some people without sports, and participating in one at a college level is quite an obstacle. So ask yourself if you’re ready for the difficulty. But with college sport comes some of the greatest memories of your life, along with friends you’ll never forget. There are many different ways to look at it, but in the end you have to do what’s right for you.

Approximately 500 people were evacuated from their homes in the aftermath of a train derailment and bridge collapse in Paulsboro. Residual levels of vinyl chloride, which in high concentrations can cause death, in the air were the cause of numerous precautionary relocations. At Underwood Memorial Hospital in Woodbury, 10 people walked into the emergency department reporting respiratory problems, bringing the total number of residents complaining about the effects of the vinyl chloride in the air to 86.

Five cars of made it over the 200- foot long bridge with no trouble. The sixth car, carrying plastic pellets, and the seventh car, carrying lumber, derailed onto land. The eighth car followed the fashion of the two before it,

partially spilling onto land and partially in water. This car was carrying ethanol, which is an alcohol-based fuel made by fermenting and distilling starch crops. Cars 9, 10 and 11 were all carrying vinyl chloride. The conductor judged it safe to cross the bridge while the engineer signaled the bridge multiple times, waiting for a green light to appear. When this did not happen, the engineer then called Conrail, which owns and maintains the rail bridge. After receiving approval, the cars proceeded to pass the red signal and cross the bridge. Could the conductor, locomotive engineer, or the dispatcher be at fault? The question remains unanswered until further evidence is collected after the United States Coast Guard gives the area clearance that it is safe.

Train Derailment in Paulsboro: Whose Fault Is It?By Alyssa Anderson ‘13

Will This Christmas Be “The Perfect Christmas?”By Jacquelyn Marone ‘13

perfect Christmas Eve and Day. I will give the song some credit as the songwriter does mention that he is only dreaming of a white Christmas to let us know that snowy Christmases are rare … especially in South Jersey. But there is a loophole, my friends! I have heard that if you wear your pajamas inside out and backwards and put a spoon under your pillow … WE WILL HAVE A WHITE CHRISTMAS!! Our mission this Christmas is to get the whole Bishop Eustace community to do the pajama and spoon trick (including Brother Jim and Father Bob) and then the one and only Saint Nick will finally make our wildest dreams come true and deliver us a perfect white Christmas.

the plot, because there is a twist not one person saw coming. I’m usually the guy in the movies who calls out twists before they happen, but I was genuinely shocked. Overall if you haven’t already, GO SEE THIS MOVIE! It’s the best animated film in years and, for me personally, is in the running for best film of the year.

movies.music.fun.friends.my views. books. restaurants.horoscopes.opinions.fashion.art.travel.entertainment.movies.music.fun.friends.my views. books. restaurants.horoscopes.opinions.fashion.art.travel.entertainment.movies.music.fun.friends.my views. books. restaurants.

f e a t u r e s .

A Day Filled With Christmas Spirit

By Jessica Miller ‘13Take a day to get into the Christmas spirit.

Start off by heading into the city to Love Park, where they have little shops, food, and some great decorations. When you are walking there, you will see “Christmas Village” in lights over the park and a Christmas tree in the center. Enjoy walking around with some hot chocolate in hand and the sound of classic Christmas music sung by carolers. In the shops, you will find things like sweaters, bags, handmade jewelry, paintings, ornaments, and you can even get your picture taken with Santa! On your way home, make sure to stop at Johnson’s farm. Here you can enjoy decorating cookies, roasting marshmallows, and a hayride! Supplied with green and white icing, red and green sprinkles, mini m&ms, and chocolate chips, you can decorate a Christmas tree sugar cookie and gingerbread man, or you can make s’mores outside at the campfire. You can also visit a reindeer! Lastly, you can go on a hayride that is decorated with Christmas lights and plays Christmas music. Want to keep the holiday cheer? Visit Haddonfield on a Friday night. It is decorated beautifully and offers free carriage rides and free cookies!

The Holiday Film of the Year: Rise of the GuardiansBy Jessica Miller ‘13

Rise of the Guardians is the holiday film of the year. Directed by Peter Ramsey, this 97 minute film will keep you eager to see what will happen next. This movie brings all of our favorite childhood figures together to save the children. Santa Clause, as the leader of the pack, is a Russian, tattooed version of Santa voiced by Hugh Jackman. Other characters include the Tooth Fairy, voiced by Isla Fisher, and the newest member to the group, Jack Frost, voiced by Chris Pine.

In the movie, Jack Frost comes into his own. Jack is not believed in by the kids and does not know his purpose. Meanwhile, the Boogieman, voiced by Jude Law, is trying to instill fear in the children’s every moment. Santa and the gang have to go through several obstacles, and when children stop believing in them, the Guardians become weaker and start to disappear. To save the members, they have to outsmart the Boogieman and work as a team. It ultimately comes down to Jack Frost. Will he be able to save his team and the happiness of the children? Hurry and go buy your tickets to this exciting, funny, heartwarming, holiday movie!

3D re-releases: Is the Gimmick Past its Prime?

By Nicholas Vespe’13While I was purchasing my movie ticket

this weekend I looked around at the posters on the walls and saw the poster for Monsters Inc in 3D. I thought, has the gimmick passed its prime? Do you still want to see a movie for ten dollars that you could probably watch on Netflix for free? Personally, I love the movie-going experience, so I’m going to say yes. I’ll probably be seeing this movie again, but I would say I’m the exception. Fellow senior Jackie Marone agreed with me, “Monsters Inc. is a total classic and I’ll probably have to see it in 3D.” But when I asked Nick Klotz, he answered abruptly with a “No. I hate 3D re-releases.” Kristen Ross also said, “I’m probably going to see it, I love Monster’s Inc. and 3D is always a fun time!” My final conclusion is that the people who really enjoy going to the movies will not mind forking up another 10 dollars to see one of their favorites again in theaters, but some may be tired of this year’s persistent 3D ploy.

Rolling Stone Magazine’s Top Singles of 2012

By Jacquelyn Marone ‘13Rolling Stone magazine’s newest edition

features an interesting article called “Singles of the Year”. Whether you are a common man or music lover, this article will grab your attention. Fifty hit songs from 2012 are listed with a description beneath. Taylor Swift’s brilliant hit “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” stole the number 2 spot.

On the list, the artists range from Frank Ocean to Fun to Skrillex and even to Carly Rae Jepsen. When Nicholas “Handsome” Vespe saw that “Gangnam Style” hit number 25, he almost broke into tears of joy that his favorite song made the list. After pulling himself together, Mr. Vespe said “This song just gets me.” So why don’t you go pick up your own copy and maybe your favorite song will be on the list. Or better yet, maybe you will broaden your musical horizons with some new songs on the list!

Exam Studying Strategies: How Much Is Too Much?By Elizabeth Bowman ‘14

Before a big test, it’s much too easy to trick yourself into thinking that every minute of your time must be spent studying. Students tend to think that even an hour away from the books will merit an entire letter grade lower than cramming every second. But studies prove that this is not true!

If you’re uncomfortable taking longer breaks from the books, try fifteen minutes between subjects or chapters to get a snack, listen to some music, go on Facebook or Twitter, or just relax. Make sure your mind is completely off your schoolwork. Experts say that short, frequent breaks, maybe every hour, that take your focus away from studying actually increase your ability to remember the material later. Another important thing to include in your breaks is activity. Although listening to music is a great destresser too, the best way to keep the worst of the tension away is movement. Try taking a walk or doing some light exercise, nothing too strenuous. Short periods of relaxation can take much of the stress out of exam-studying and might even help you remember more of the material than yet another review of your notes.

When you’ve reached the point at which the material stops making sense and you don’t seem to be retaining any information, stop studying! Don’t think that reviewing your notes just one more time will improve your grade that much. What our teachers and parents tell us are true; A good night’s sleep and a healthy breakfast helps your focus and test- taking far more than a few more minutes of cramming.

football . soccer . cross country. tennis .bowling .track .basketball . baseball . softball . field hockey.swimming. ice hockey . lacrosse . cheerleading . wrestling . golf . football . soccer . cross country. tennis .bowling .track .basketball . baseball . softball . field hockey.swimming.

s p o r t s .

Coming into the post season, the Bishop Eustace Field Hockey team was 15-2-0. After ten straight victories, it was pretty obvious the girls were ready for the post season. Of these wins, Eustace beat rivals Paul VI in a 4-0 shutout and an even better rival matchup with Camden Catholic resulting in a 5-1 Eustace victory. Not to mention the BE-Unit fan section topped off this glorious win by storming the field. With senior stars Kelly Quinn, Montana Fleming, Alex Pecora, and junior rising stars in Duke commit Sarah Furey, Lauren Crudele, and Katie Feeney, the team was fueled by great players to bring such a successful season leading into the playoffs.

The Crusaders started off on the right foot, defeating Cinnaminson High School 9-0 in the first round of the playoffs. The Crusaders then continued their winning streak defeating Robbinsville High School in another blowout 8-0. The field hockey team did not stop though; they continued to score in the third round of the playoffs against Delran High School in a 9-0 thrashing. In these first three games the Crusaders breezed by with great goaltending by senior University of Iowa commit Alex Pecora and numerous scoring by University of Connecticut commit Montana Fleming and University of Richmond commit Kelly Quinn.

The big game was yet to come for the Crusaders. On November 16th, 2012, the Crusaders embarked on their 5 minute bus ride to Camden Catholic High School. The game time was set for 6 pm. The crowd for Camden Catholic

was reaching an all-time record dressed in their bright green t-shirts, but Eustace responded by ushering in a large, and rowdy, crowd as well. The game kicked off with back and fourth possession stretching lengths of the field but a late first half goal by senior Montana Fleming assisted by Sarah Furey put the Crusaders ahead before halftime. The ever-changing possessions

continued into the second half with the Camden Catholic Irish firing shots at Alex Pecora. As the clock ticked away, Bishop Eustace fans anxiously awaited a Crusader victory. The game ended, Alex Pecora tallying 7 huge saves against the Irish, with another storming of the field by the BE-Unit. As the team celebrated on the field, they knew they had to turn that “unfinished business” into “finished business.”

The Crusaders did exactly that in their journey up to The College of New Jersey on Sunday, November 18th, 2012 for the State Tournament final. Starting off early in the game, Kelly Quinn scored to put the Crusaders up 1-0 over West Essex. But West Essex responded

Lady Crusaders Take Back the Title: BEFH State Champions 2012By Connor McTear ‘13

Although you may not hear much about Tennis or Cheerleading, these two teams have brought large titles and much pride to Bishop Eustace. Though these two sports do not have the crowds, the accomplishments of both teams deserve acknowledgment. Girls tennis begins in August and ends in October, which makes for a short season. This year Bishop Eustace girls tennis won titles in the Conference and Camden County, while the Crusaders ranked 3rd South Jersey. Last year, tennis also achieved those titles as well as many individual titles.

Credit Where It’s DueBy Jessica Lantz and Briana Filippini ‘15

shortly after with a goal to tie 1-1. Again, Eustace came back to score on a corner by Montana Fleming to go up 2-1. The half ended with close game play and a score of 2-1 favoring Bishop Eustace. After a few nice offensive plays, Katie Feeney scored to put Eustace up 3-1 assisted by Kristen Stilley. Kelly Quinn again charged down the field and put Eustace up 4-1 to seal

the deal for the Crusaders. The last goal for Eustace was scored by Elleen Dzwill. As the celebration had already started in their heads, West Essex scored a late goal to finish off the final score of 5-2 Eustace over West Essex. Bishop Eustace had won the 2012 Group 2 State Championship.

The 2012 field hockey team had an impressive statistical year as well as a remarkable state championship title. In 2011, the field hockey team recorded 112 total goals. This year, the 2012 field

hockey team recorded 140 goals, 40 by Kelly Quinn, 36 by Montana Fleming, 29 by Lauren Crudele, and 11 by Katie Feeney. Goalie Alex Pecora recorded 133 saves and 13 shutouts in her stellar season. Although losing a handful amount of seniors and top scorers, the field hockey team will be lead by juniors Katie Feeney, Sarah Furey, Lauren Crudele and underclassmen Rachel Hepp and Sarah Dignam next year. The Bishop Eustace field hockey team recorded one of the best seasons in school history according to stats, but in the end, the only thing that matters is that they are 2012 State Champions.

The competitive cheerleading team had a treacherous season, starting in August and it ends in February. Cheerleading’s accomplishments started with this year’s summer camp when Taylore Shea, Julianna Fufari, Lara Mabanta, Sabrina Mabanta, Audrey Hartman and Briana Filippini made the All- American Cheerleading Team. The Eustace cheerleading team is currently working extremely hard every day to reach their goal of winning conference champions once again. Last competition season, the cheerleading team was able to obtain the

conference champion title as well as second place in Nationals. Both tennis and cheerleading deserve their fair share of recognition, so show your support and come out to cheer them on!

As winter track commences in the first weeks of December, the team has high hopes for the upcoming season. The Boys have been seeking another State Championship since the 2009-10 season, when it won the Non-Public B state title. Veteran returners include Daniel Metrick, a strong hurdler and 400 meter runner, Connor McTear, a talented sprinter, as well as Eric Franklin and Anthony Morelli, both quality distance runners. Young talent resides in distance runner Shawn

Hutchinson and sprinters Andreas Papadourakis and Vinny Papale. With depth and talent aplenty, the team’s success appears inevitable.

The 4x800 and Distance Medley Relay teams are looking for births into Nationals and the Penn Relays. The former, consisting of Eric Franklin, Ben Tso, Connor McTear, and Alex Stelmaski, had shown great promise in past races. The latter, consisting of Eric Franklin, Connor McTear, Alex Stelmaski, and Anthony Morelli,

missed the school record by mere seconds during the spring season last year. Coming back stronger and more determined, both teams have the potential to make school history and attain a place on the national level. With two conference champions and one state championship team, Bishop Eustace has experienced great successes during the fall. The track team hopes to continue this success into the winter season.

Winter Track: The FutureBy Alex Stelmaski ‘13

football . soccer . cross country. tennis .bowling .track .basketball . baseball . softball . field hockey.swimming. ice hockey . lacrosse . cheerleading . wrestling . golf . football . soccer . cross country. tennis .bowling .track .basketball . baseball . softball . field hockey.swimming.

s p o r t s .

Coming into the post-season, the Bishop Eustace Boys Varsity Soccer club recorded a 12 win, 5 loss, and 2 tie season. The team had recorded 9 shutouts by senior star goalie Vince Maiorino in the regular season. The first game of the playoffs was at home versus St. Joeseph’s of Metuchen. The boys recorded a 3-0 nothing shutout with goals from Marc Montinard and two from Jake Heyser. The team then traveled to Richland, NJ to face bitter rivals St. Augustine Prep in the 2nd round of play. A late second half goal by Chris Schiavo gave Eustace the 1-0 win. In the 3rd round of play, Eustace again traveled on the road to Toms River, NJ to play Monsignor Donovan. With 12 saves in goal, Vince Maiorino led the team to a 2-1 victory with goals from Alec Palmieri and Andreas Papadourakis. This huge win gave the boys momentum going into the South Jersey Final at Pingry School. After a full game of play, the head to head matchup was tied 0-0. The momentum of Bishop Eustace was then stopped by a Pingry

The girl’s varsity soccer team came into the post-season with a record of 11-8. After starting the season off rough with a win and few losses, the team bounced back and secured an above .500 record to get them into the playoffs. In the first round of the playoffs, the Crusaders beat rival PVI in a 1-0 shutout behind goalie Ellise Sullivan. The probability of winning was unlikely for the team in the second round of the playoffs as they were set to face the #1 seed Holy Cross. But this meant nothing to the girls; it was just another game, with a little more at the stake. After coming off the PVI victory, the team had momentum. Going down 1-0 in the first half, the girls rebounded with a goal from Nicolette Wilkins late in the second half. The girls did not stop there; they finished off the game strong and scored a goal by Ashley

Soccer Playoff Wrap-UpsBy Connor McTear ‘13

forward who put away Eustace on a goal from another Pingry foward in early overtime play.

The season of the BEBVS team was quite memorable. The team had beaten South Jersey’s #1 Timber Creek and rivals PVI and Camden Catholic. Goalie Vince Maiorino recorded 11 total shutouts and a total of 119 saves over the season. Senior Jake Heyser led the team in goals with 11 followed by Alec Palmieri with 8. Pat Biche led the team in assists with 8.

Although the team is losing 13 valuable seniors, the Crusaders will be led by juniors Zach Pharo, Quinn Laughlin, and Chris Cappuchio. They will also be assisted by sophomores Andreas Papadourakis and Brian Keller. According to Zach Pharo, “This was an unbelievable year for BEBVS. I will really miss the seniors next year, but like every year, the seniors always have to leave at some point. I hope that we can bring an exciting and successful year like this next year to Bishop Eustace. We will be back with a vengeance.”

Gault to win 2-1 over the #1 seed Holy Cross. The girls continued their season away at Notre Dame. The girls trailed early 1-0 but a goal by Cayla Barry tied the game going into halftime. With about 20 minutes left in the game, Gabby Pietrangelo scored to put the Crusaders up 2-1. The girls held on to the lead tight and secured the victory to put them into the South Jersey finals. Similar to the boys, the girls were set to play at Pingry. At the half, the score was 1-0 Pingry. Still not giving up hope, the girls continued to fight back and Gault scored with 5 minutes left in regulation to tie the game up at 1-1. In overtime, however, the momentum was stopped by a heartbreaking Pingry goal.

The girl’s season ended with a record of 14-9. According to seed rankings, the girls were certainly not expected to reach as far as

Girls Varsity Soccer

Boys Varsity Soccer

This year’s Boys’ Basketball team is hoping to re-capture the success of last year’s senior laden team that reached the State Semi-final against St. Joseph’s of Metuchen with an impressive 23-5 record. Deemed a rebuilding year by Senior Center Ry’n Bland, the team feels that they can surprise some people with their speed in the back-court and size in the front-court. This year will be an important year for the Crusaders because they are in the process of developing several young players who the coaching staff and fans hope will make a huge impact for in the program’s near future. Sophomores Brandon Cazan and Connor McLaughlin, as well as freshman Mike Cohen are all young players that are expected to contribute

this year. Senior guards Tom Falconiero and Nick Hanuscin, along with Bland, are the leaders who will drive this year’s team to the success they hope to achieve. Juniors Flo Da-Silva and D’vonne Trumbo are quick guards that will blow by defenders in transition. Watch out for them if the defense gets a steal. In a recent interview with team captain Tom Falconiero, he said, “We expect to win conference and make a run for a state championship. We are not even a top 20 team in the preseason rankings and I think we will take teams by surprise.” While they seem like big goals for a team coming off a year with lots of hype surrounding the program, they are certainly something worth fighting for.

Crusaders Look to Build Off of Last Year’s MomentumBy Kyle Miller ‘13

they did. The team had an unbelievable post-season run, falling just short of making the state final game, led by seniors Gault and Wilkins. Gault led the team with 13 goals followed by Wilkins with 10 goals, and Taylor Baranowsky led the team in assists with 11. The team is looking forward to another great season led by junior goalie Ellise Sullivan, Taylor Tralie, Ally Fiato, and Cayla Barry.

o u r n a t i o n . o u r f a m i l y . o u r f r i e n d s . o n e w o r l d .o u r n a t i o n . o u r f a m i l y . o u r f r i e n d s . o n e w o r l d .o u r n a t i o n . o u r f a m i l y . o u r f r i e n d s . o n e w o r l d .o u r n a t i o n . o u r f a m i l y . o u r f r i e n d s . o n e w o r l d .o u r n a t i o n . o u r f a m i l y . o u r f r i e n d s . o n e w o r l d .c o m m u n i t y .

Friends of Rachel Club Christmas Prayer Service

By Cristina Johnson ‘14The Friends of Rachel Club recently held

its annual Christmas Prayer Service and tree trimming party. The club members lit candles in remembrance all of those involved in the Columbine school shooting. Everyone showed respect for those who passed away as they listened to “Winter Song” by Sara Bareilles. The song was an amazing choice because it silenced the whole chapel and made everyone think about Rachel’s Challenge. The service gave everyone time to relax and remember those who were killed in the tragedy. Furthermore, it enabled all attendees to reflect on how important Rachel’s Challenge is to our community. After the Prayer Service, everyone went to the cafeteria to eat Christmas treats and make ornaments for the Friends of Rachel Christmas Tree. The tree is currently displayed in SPS to represent Rachel Scott and her message of extending kindness and compassion throughout the holiday season.

The Epidemic That Has Everyone at Eustace Talking:The Struggles During Mass

By Sophia Giacobetti ‘13The Bishop Eustace student body has

recently encountered some issues concerning the way we act in mass. It’s the most recent epidemic in the school, and it has everyone talking. Once again Eustace had its usual Thanksgiving mass but this year it was different. Students were not respectful towards God and had unsatisfactory behavior, and at the end of mass, Brother Jim spoke to us about the proper attitude toward the sacredness of one of the most special community rituals the school offers. Teachers were told to help educate students on the best behavior for future masses, and they worked with their schedules to incorporate fifteen minute lessons about the importance of respecting God’s time and space and the masses we share as a school. Every teacher, no matter what subject, worked with students and really taught us all the importance of God and how worship is a main component of our lives here at Bishop Eustace Preparatory School. Thanks to Brother Jim, we all now have another opportunity to show him and the rest of the Pallottine community that we can redeem ourselves in future masses. So, hats off to Brother Jim and his eager drive to better Bishop Eustace one day at a time.

Kairos XXXVIIIBy Kyle Miller & Connor McTear ‘13

Going into Kairos, many fear the unknown because no one is allowed to tell any details of what goes on at this retreat. It is a very tough decision that seniors and sometimes juniors decide to make in order to improve their relationship with themselves, the people in their peer group, and in most cases, God. Some questions people ask are “What do you actually do?” or “What is the Kairos secret?” or “How can I leave my family or be without my phone for an entire weekend?” Even just two days before going on our retreat, I tried to get out of going. I now know that if I did avoid Kairos, I would have missed out on the opportunity of a lifetime. While Kairos is not for everyone, it is an experience that people coming out will never forget, nor regret.

After completing my Kairos retreat, I have not only learned about myself but also about my friends, family, and my relationship with God. Many people have asked me, “How can you change in just one weekend?” and “Why is it such a changing experience?” But truly the only way to answer those questions is to encourage my peers to experience Kairos as well. The secrets are so special that they would not make sense without the context of the retreat. Kairos is an eye-opening experience, something that can possibly change your life, and the key is to be true to yourself.

Thanksgiving at Eustace By Julianne Herubin ‘13

Bishop Eustace celebrates Thanksgiving in a different way than most high schools. Before the families of Bishop Eustace go home to stuff their faces with grandma’s homemade mash potatoes and turkey, the students and families of Eustace give back. The Thanksgiving Baskets at Eustace are a generous way to give a little something to people who may not have much at all. This year, Bishop Eustace accumulated about $5,000 worth of food. Multiple gift cards and food baskets were donated including about 200 frozen turkeys! Other thanksgiving

Turkey Bowl 2012By Paul Jacob ‘16

The second annual Turkey Bowl was held on Tuesday, November 20, 2012 on the Queen of Apostles Track and Field with much fun and delight as many seniors, juniors, sophomores, and freshmen came together for a friendly match-up of the most classic game of football. Many teams faced off in this 7- on- 7 flag football tournament, each group vying for the chance at claiming the Turkey Bowl title. This competition was open to the entire student body and a total of 10 teams appeared with close to 85 participants. The whole competition was monitored by Mr. Jamrogowicz, who oversaw many games at once. From the start, feet were kicking the ground, arms were flailing in enjoyment, and footballs were flying left and right. By the end, one team was left standing and finally declared the winner of the 2012 Turkey Bowl. The winning team was made up of seniors Zac Gallen and Nicolette Wilkins, juniors John Panchella, Flo DaSilva, D’vonne Trumbo, Taylor Aguiar, and Kim Johnson, and sophomore Nick Brown. Each member of the winning team was rightfully given an official Turkey Bowl championship T-shirt, exhibiting the victory that they had gained together as a team and reminding everyone of this very memorable and fun time.

events at Eustace include the second annual Turkey Bowl and the traditional Thanksgiving football game at Pennsauken High School. This will be the last football game for the senior football players and cheerleaders and hopefully will be a winning game to pull Bishop Eustace into the wonderful Christmas season!

o u r n a t i o n . o u r f a m i l y . o u r f r i e n d s . o n e w o r l d .o u r n a t i o n . o u r f a m i l y . o u r f r i e n d s . o n e w o r l d .o u r n a t i o n . o u r f a m i l y . o u r f r i e n d s . o n e w o r l d .o u r n a t i o n . o u r f a m i l y . o u r f r i e n d s . o n e w o r l d .o u r n a t i o n . o u r f a m i l y . o u r f r i e n d s . o n e w o r l d .c o m m u n i t y .

Sagittarius (Nov 22. – Dec. 21)Aura: Inspired

Both the sun and Mercury are competing for your attention, refreshing and energizing you throughout this month, gracing you with

confidence and enthusiasm; be mindful of your actions during such a busy holiday season, but

remember to enjoy it!Capricorn (Dec. 22 – Jan. 19)

Aura: WithdrawnDespite reclusive feelings, the full moon on the 28th will evoke positivity, as most full

moons do! Don’t waste the universe’s gift to you—use the full moon vibe to try something new and venture outside of your comfort zone. Also be mindful that your planet of earnings is rising and pay close attention to finances in this

time of spending!Aquarius (Jan. 20 – Feb. 18)

Aura: TranquilAquarius’ chart this month, with Jupiter in a

spirited sector, will promote good vibes, which will attract finding romance, socializing, and lots of fun! The tour of Jupiter, giver of gifts and luck, (currently in Gemini) should allow

for a lively but relaxing holiday season!Pisces (Feb. 19 – March 20)

Aura: SocialMars will enter an active zone which will push

normally modest Pisces to be social and vi-brant during the holidays. Thankfully, difficult Uranus will move out of retrograde this month,

allowing for previous tensions to melt away and a new breath of life to bring you into the

new year.Aries (March 21 – April 19)

Aura: IndependentThe words of the month for Aries, a fire sign,

are individuality and innovation. Mars has recently entered your tenth house, which rules

The holiday season has come upon us at last. Everywhere Christmas music is playing, Christmas lights are twinkling, and above all Santa Claus is coming to town! With the holidays fast approaching, many people are getting ready to perform their annual holiday festivities and traditions. Believe it or not, teachers and students in our very own school have very interesting holiday traditions.

Junior Sam Glanville says that her family holds a Chinese auction every Christmas, and every year, without fail, her family auctions off the same exact ugly sweater from the year before. The hapless person who receives this gift when all is said and done has to take a picture wearing it. Lauren Biester says she

Holiday RitualsBy Asha Jacob and Molly McBride

and her brothers read “The Night Before Christmas” every Christmas Eve while Molly McBride watches “It’s a Wonderful Life” after she gets home from Mass on Christmas Eve.

Our very own Mrs. Frantz has her own Hanukah traditions. Her family and friends have a different take on “Secret Santa,” which she dubs “Hanukah Harry”. How fun! She also decorates her house “Hanukah style” and her family plays dreidels. She eats latkes (potato pancakes) and chocolate gold coins called gelts. Mrs. Gabster and her family celebrate the cool Slovakian way. On Christmas Eve, after sundown, her family shares a tradition Slovakian meal called a velija. The head of the house (Mrs. Gabster’s husband) passes around a garlic and honey bread

called Oplakty. Breaded fish and perogies are also included in the meal. Mrs. Gabster herself makes something called bobalky which is balls of bread which contain poppy seeds and honey.

Mrs. Barrera informed us that in Mexico, for nine consecutive evenings before the 24th, families go to friends’ houses “for shelter” which is symbolic of the journey Mary asking for shelter in which to have the baby Jesus. Children break piñatas, hot chocolate is served, and there is a lot of dancing. On January 6th, the baby Jesus (from the Nativity scene) is given new apparel. Mrs. Barrera partakes in the part of the Mexican Christmas tradition in which you do not place the baby Jesus in the stable of the Nativity scene until Christmas Eve, symbolic of him being born.

your professional progress. Keep working hard—it will pay off! On January 11th, a sig-nificant new moon will occur in the same sec-tor, bringing an entourage of planets through

your chart. Embrace it!Taurus (April 20 – May 20)

Aura: VelveteenA new moon eases itself through a cozy and

intimate zone, having you crave closeness with your loved ones, as the holiday season should! Use this time of cheer to initiate discussion and meaningful conversation with friends and fam-ily, as they will be receptive to what you have

to say!Gemini (May 21 – June 20)

Aura: PassionateWhen Venus flirts with your ruling planet, Mercury, prepare for amorous vibes to be

given off! Passion and creativity will lead you into the new year in a lucky phase; Jupiter,

the planet of gifts and luck, is still in Gemini which allows for endless possibilities!

Cancer (June 21 – July 22)Aura: Mundane

Mars is in Capricorn, your opposite sign, until December 25th, so it may be a relief to know that you won’t have to make all the decisions , as help will present itself. Accept it! With

multiple planets moving through the western area of your chart, December is a collabora-

tive month. Utilize this slow-moving pace and relax.

Leo (July 23 – August 22)Aura: Excited

You will see a busy work-month, but it will be balanced nicely by a vibrant, growing social life, just the way vivacious Leo likes it. Ac-tivities come alive at holiday time; if so, this

will be a busy and demanding holiday periods. Embrace it, as you will feel productive and en-

ergized, and business will be brisk. Try to wrap up all projects by the 24th, as Mars will move into Aquarius on Christmas, reducing hectic

feelings and allowing for love.Virgo (August 23 – Sept. 22)

Aura: MotivatedYou’ve been working hard all year, and with

Jupiter in your recognition sector, your dedica-tion should be rewarded. Jupiter is a great ben-eficial planet for you—one that gives gifts and

luck, so open your heart this holiday season and approach it with positive energy.

Libra (Sept. 23 – October 22)Aura: Audacious

This year has been a bit unpredictable for Libras, as many challenges were thrown your way, but characteristically, Libras are smooth and confident, and you have embraced these challenges with stride. Don’t let yourself get

swept up in the demand of the holiday season!Scorpio (October 23 – Nov. 21)

Aura: DaringPower and money may be infiltrating your

thoughts, and you seem determined to make this month productive and successful. Others might be consumed by the holidays, but for

Scorpios, opportunities will be everywhere you look. Both your rulers, Mars and Pluto, both powerful, will tour your third house of com-munication, negotiation, and contracts, and

you have a lot of deal making to do before the month ends, but don’t forget to take time for

yourself.

December 2012 Astrology Readingsby Lily O’Brien

the student newspaper of bishop eustace preparatory school . route 70 pennsauken, new jersey 08109 the student newspaper of bishop eustace preparatory school . route 70 pennsauken, new jersey 08109 the student newspaper of bishop eustace preparatoryt h e e u s t a c i a n

The EustacianThe Student Newspaper of Bishop Eustace Preparatory SchoolRoute 70, Pennsauken, NJ 08109

THE EUSTACIAN is a forum for student views, photography, and journalism. It is written and produced by the Journalism/Mass Media class and takes submissions from contributing writers, photographers, and artists. It is at the discretion of the moderator and the editors whether a contribution will be used. All contributions will be evaluated on overall journalistic quality. Views expressed in THE EUSTACIAN are not necessarily the views of Bishop Eustace Preparatory School, or of the editors of this publication. THE

EUSTACIAN is funded by the Pallottine Fathers and Brothers.

Moderator: Mr. Dwight JessupEditors-in Chief: Elizabeth Bowman & Molly McBrideSection Editors: Ronald Berna, Connor McTear, Kyle MillerPhotos by LifeTouch, Eustacian Staff Photographers, and Mr. Jessup

Staff: Regis Acosta, Grace Carita, Regina deHeer, Laura Donohue, Briana Filippini, Alex Gallo, Brianna Giarraputo, Paige Hvizdos, Asha Jacob, Paul Jacob, Jennie Kerbeck, Lesle Kieu, Ryan Lange, Jessica Lantz, Deanna Miceli, Stephanie Mignogna, Lily O’Brien, Paisley Payne, Alyssa Regalbuto, Alex Stelmaski

Merry Chris

tmas

and a

Happy N

ew Year

from the

Eustacian