January 2016 Albertus Magnus High School, 798 Route 304, Bardonia, NY 10954 Volume 9, Issue 2

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4One School, Many View-points: An Albertus take on the Syrian refugee crisis

CommunityEditorialsOpinions

LifestyleEntertainmentArts & Activities

Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of the Diocese

of New York, celebrated the Eucharist with Albertus on December 16. During his visit, His Eminence also blessed the newly-renovated science labs. He is the first Cardinal to visit the school, and the administration spent months of careful planning to ensure that everything ran smoothly. The many honored guests present at Mass included Superintendent of Schools Dr. Timothy McNiff, the Dominican Sisters of Sparkill, and Albertus’ former President and Principal Joseph Troy. Before Mass, Mr. Troy was welcomed by new President Mr. Robert Gomprecht. Mr. Troy expressed his joy at the Cardinal’s visit. “Celebrating the Eucharist is one of the most important things done at Albertus, which is why it is such an honor that Cardinal Dolan is present to share this sacrament,” he said. Cardinal Dolan was accompanied by Msgr. Emmet Nevin of St. Aedan’s; Msgr. Edward Barry, St. Barnabus; Rev. Joseph Deponai, St. Anthony’s; Rev. James Ferreira, Secretary to Cardinal Dolan; Msgr. Joseph Giandurco, Sacred Heart; Rev.

by Paulina Kanburiyan and Chloe Martinez

Cardinal Dolan blesses the Albertus community

Joseph LaMorte, St. Gregory Barbarigo; Rev. Robert McKeon, St.. Francis of Assisi; Rev. Frank Samoylo, St. Columbanus; and Msgr. Edward Weber, Director of Priest Personnel. Altar servers included senior Casey Bischoff, junior Gregory McAvoy, sophomore Hailey Tyler, and freshmen Christopher Healey, Christopher O’Brien, and Steven Travaglini. Members of honor choir Veritas also contributed their talents. The Cardinal’s homily

stressed the importance of Christ’s light in the world, especially during the season of Advent. The Cardinal said that among his many duties as Archbishop, he particularly enjoyed “spending time with Catholic school students.” At the conclusion of the Mass, Student Council President Michael Padron and Vice-President Samantha Heavner presented gifts to the Cardinal, including an Albertus pullover, with “Dolan” and “#1” printed on the back. As a return gesture of thanks,

Cardinal Dolan requested the students be given a day off. Unsurprisingly, the student population burst into cheers.Mr. Gomprecht and Principal Chris Power consented and later announced December 18 as that day. After Mass, Cardinal Dolan blessed the Joseph T. Troy Biology Lab, the Aldo J. Cozzi Chemistry Lab, and the Dominican Sisters of Sparkill Science Lab. Students, concelebrants, and other guests accompanied him as he said a prayer of blessing over

each individual lab. Throughout this process, students lined the hallways, eagerly awaiting a chance to shake the Cardinal’s hand, exchange a few words, or get a quick “selfie.” It was evident the Cardinal enjoyed the interactions with the students as much as they did. After the blessings, Cardinal Dolan joined students and faculty for lunch in the library, chooding to sit with the students. Later, he happily agreed to more photos, much to everyone’s delight. “Having lunch with the Cardinal was an experience of a lifetime. I’m so glad to have had that opportunity,” said junior Whitney Torchon. “It was a great day for Albertus. The Cardinal was warm, and there is a large percentage of students who have a selfie with the Cardinal. We are grateful to Mr. Troy for remodeling the labs and grateful to the Cardinal for blessing them,” said Mr. Gomprecht. Cardinal Dolan’s spiritual presence inspired students and teachers alike. His cheerfulness was infectious, leaving all with a memorable Christmas blessing. See Page 2 for pictures.

Students traveled to New York City on December

3 to participate in The Sunday Mass, a weekly televised Mass on ABC Family Channel. The Passionists of St. Paul of the Cross Province, a religious group, developed this weekly program to help the aged and infirm practice their Catholic beliefs. Members of the Student Council, the Pro-Life Club, the Preaching Team, Eucharistic Ministers and lectors accompanied Sr. Nancy Richter and Principal Chris Power to St. Francis

Televised Christmas Mass proves to be full of surprisesby Reilly Golden

de Sales Church on West 96th Street. Father Edward Beck, Executive Producer and Host of The Sunday Mass, greeted everyone and said the Mass would air nationwide on Christmas Day. The Mass also included guest lector Jim Caviezel, the actor known for portraying Jesus Christ in the 2004 film The Passion of the Christ. Guest soloist Raul Esparza, the Tony-nominated actor who currently plays Assistant District Attorney Rafael Barba on Law and Order: Special Victims Unit, was also present.

Both men welcomed the Albertus students, shaking hands and taking pictures with those who asked. Before services, Father Beck interviewed the two men, asking them about their careers as well as their favorite Christmas traditions and memories. Bishop John O’Hara presided over the Mass and reflected on the importance and sacredness of the season. The celebration was filled with Christmas music and readings that reminded the

Cardinal Dolan exits the gymnasium following the celebration of Mass. Photo by Toni-Linn Moore

Albertus students (right) look on as Jim Caviezel speaks during Mass.Screenshot from The Sunday Mass courtesy of Brendan Callahan

congregation of the true meaning of Christmas. “Attending the Mass was an exciting experience that

allowed us to view the filming process, as well as enjoy the beautiful church and service,” said senior Michael Padron.

Page 2 Albertus Magnus High School January 2016

Albertus Community

Student preacherscontinue their ministryby Tonianne Zottoli

Albertus Preaching Team members sophomores Haley Tyler and Kasey Kemmer, and juniors Philip Cippo-

lina, and Tonianne Zottoli, headed to Long Island for a weekend full of fun, prayer, and Dominican charisma. The Dominican Youth Preaching Workshop was held Novem-ber 20th at St. John the Baptist Diocesan High School in West Islip, Long Island, and was the hot spot of faith and community for the weekend. At this workshop, the leaders taught and demonstrated the four Dominican values: study, prayer, community, and preaching. The young Dominicans learned that there are many ways to express prayer, such as through dance, mu-sic, and art. The image of the “ideal preacher” was made clear to all attendants: “a good preacher always has a Bible in one hand and a newspaper in the other.” This expres-sion illustrates a Dominican preacher’s lifestyle, always referencing the Word, and committing oneself to the needs of the world . On the second day of the workshop, the Dominicans took a 15-minute drive to Amityville to visit the Domini-can sisters who live in the infirmary. An ice cream social was held with the senior nuns, and each young preacher made a new friend that night. On the last day there were only a few hours left to spend with new friends. All present celebrated Mass at the con-vent, and the sisters came to see and hear the witness to be given by the young preachers. “This workshop helped me make connections with peo-ple who also have a relationship with God,” said Kasey Kemmer. The four students who attended the workshop returned to Albertus with a deeper knowledge of what it really means to be a Dominican.

Top left: The Cardinal talking with students in the rotunda. Photo by Ms. Wassmer. All other photos by Toni-Linn Moore. Top right: The Cardinal blesses the Aldo J. Cozzi Chemistry Lab.

The science department with the Cardinal.

From left to right: Mr. Adam Yaun, Mrs. Beth

Michaluk, Cardinal Dolan, Mrs. Amy

Arellano, Mrs. Millie Mendelson, Mr. Gregg

Mower.

Left: Michael Padron and Samantha Heavner present Cardinal Dolan with gifts on behalf of the school.Right: Former President/Principal Joseph Troy and his family with the Cardinal.

Moments from Cardinal Dolan’s Visit

Student Spotlight: Senior Samantha Heavnerby Karishma Melwani

Samantha Heavner is Student Council Vice President, Editor-in-Chief of

the Magnus Monitor and the Albert liter-ary/art magazine, member of the honors choir Veritas, captain of the Mock Trial team, and a four-year member of the dra-ma department.

K: First, congratulations on being accepted to Harvard! On the topic of college, what do you plan on studying, and what developed your pas-sion for this particular field?S: English and History are my favorite subjects, so I hope to take a lot of classes in those areas. Differ-ent teachers whom I’ve had in those subjects, espe-cially at Albertus, have definitely contributed to that passion.K: Do you ever struggle or feel overwhelmed with being involved in so many things while try-ing to be consistent academically? How do you manage such a well-rounded lifestyle?S: I definitely struggle rather frequently with feel-ing overwhelmed, as I’m sure a lot of people do. I’m lucky to have a ton of amazing people in my life whom I can lean on for help when I need it, and that makes a huge difference. Plus, I really enjoy all the extra-curricular activities I’m involved in, so I’m usually having so much fun that it doesn’t feel like work.K: What did you obtain from your experience at Harvard this past summer? S: Spending two weeks at Harvard this summer was really incredible. I took a law class, and my professor was interesting, well-spoken, and knowl-edgeable. Living on campus was a blast, and I met a great group of kids whom I still talk to months later. It helped shape my idea of what I want out of my college experience.K: What do you hope your life will be like 10 years from now?S: I’m planning to enter into college as a pre-law

student, and I hope one day to obtain a law degree. Ideally, one day I’ll also have a doctorate degree. But, who knows? Most of all, I hope that I’ll be happy and healthy in the future. K: What advice would you like to share with young-er students?S: Try everything that interests you even a little bit, and don’t think that you have to be good at something to try it. You might stumble into an activity that be-comes a major part of your life. Also, do your best not to sweat the small stuff. Your happiness is more impor-tant than one test, one game, or one performance.K: What club has impacted you the most for the years that you have been at Albertus?S: The drama department has probably had the most significant impact on my Albertus years. I’ve done the spring musical since freshman year, and I’ve become close friends with so many talented performers who are also some of the most genuine and hilarious people you’ll ever meet. It’s also allowed me to grow as a per-former far more than I ever thought I would.K: What is your biggest accomplishment?S: Being elected as Vice President of Student Coun-cil is definitely one of my biggest accomplishments. It meant a lot to me to know that the student body trusted me to help accomplish our goals this year.K: What has helped you become so successful over the years?S: I’ve had a lot of help from so many talented teach-ers, and my friends and family have always given me a really strong foundation. A lot of it boils down to com-munity. When the people around you are working hard and succeeding, it makes you want to do the same. Photo courtesy of Yearbook

“Read the Bible in one hand, and the newspaper in the other.”

-- Karl Barth, Swiss theologian

January 2016 Albertus Magnus High School Page 3

Albertus Community

Veritas, Albertus’ honors choir, performed at a local outdoor mall, The Shops at Nanuet, on December 8th. Adorned in Santa hats and ac-

companied by AMHS Performing Arts Director and pianist Nadia Rizzo, the choir sang beloved Christmas carols for an excited holiday crowd. The group was situated in a heavily trafficked location between the Macy's department store and Regal Cinema’s movie theater at the mall. Adjacent to Veritas was a location where pictures were being taken with Santa Claus, adding to the seasonal cheer of the scene. Also present were the school's President Robert Gomprecht and Director of Admissions Nor-een Power, as well as several Albertus teachers, students, and parents. Shoppers entering the mall were greeted with festive tunes that sounded truly angelic as the result of the high ceilings of the building. Veritas sang a wide range of songs, from "Frosty the Snowman" to "Carol of the Bells," a piece sung a Capella in four-part harmony. "It was an outstanding opportunity to perform and also a really fun time. We were thankful for all those who came and supported us," said junior and Veritas member Mark Covais. The choir drew a sizable crowd of Al-bertus family members and interested shoppers alike. Overlooking the performance area is a large poster which advertises Albertus Magnus High School to shoppers daily. As Veritas sang, AMHS student volunteers distributed school pencils and informational pamphlets to interested students and parents. Both administrators and students agree that this night of holiday cel-ebration created a sense of community and camaraderie. "The event really showcased how immersed Albertus has become in our greater commu-nity," commented spectator Edward Faro, an AMHS senior. Following the performance, which lasted over an hour, Mrs. Rizzo ac-companied Veritas as the group took a picture with Santa Claus. As the night came to a close, the performers and their spectators departed with an undeniable sense of holiday cheer.

Veritas brings cheer toholiday shoppersby Samantha Heavner

It was that special time of the year again when friends,

family, faculty, and alumni at-tend the winter concert. On December 17, the AMHS music department including the band, chorus, and Veri-tas showcased their musical talents to get everyone in the holiday spirit. Four hundred people attended the annual Christmas concert, which fea-tured an unprecedented one hundred performers. The band kicked off the night, playing pieces such as “Cambridge Carol,” “Rock-in’ with Frosty,” “Christmas Festival,” and “Two Spanish

by Selena Roberts

Christmas concert brings cheer to all

The Albertus choir onstage singing a holiday medley. Photo by Leah Hopson.

The Christmas season is undoubtedly a time for happiness and good cheer. However, sometimes the question of

what to get a loved one or a friend can lead to unnecessary stress. This is why the Magnus Monitor conducted a survey to determine what most had placed on the top of their lists. Although the holiday has passed, this info is sure to help with gift shopping in the futures. Two hundred students were surveyed, and the results are in order of favorites in percentages. See how your gifts compare:

• 49% Gift cards/money• 20% Concert/sporting event tickets• 17% Electronics (Xbox, iPhone, video games)• 9% Clothes• 5% Other (Baseball cards and bobbleheads, a higher

SAT score, James Reilly, hoverboards, Justin Bieber)

Wishes from the Magnus Monitor: For those who got hoverboards, stay safe. For those taking the SAT, hope you get a better score. For baseball card and bobblehead enthusiasts, hope you got your first choice Christmas gift (you know who you are).Always remember, holiday shoppers, it is the thought that counts when giving a gift. From all at the Magnus Monitor, have a happy and healthy New Year!

What Albertus wantedfor Christmas this year by Jacklyn Onody

From left to right: Prince Mark Covais, Princess Alex DiNardo, Queen Samantha Heavner, and King Edward Faro.

Photo courtesy of Chelsea Yagel

Junior/Senior Christmas Dance

Q: In the beginning of the year, I felt motivated to do well in school, but now that the holiday season is over and we are back from break, I feel lazy. How do I get back into a routine and stay motivated?A. You are not alone. Returning from the holidays is not easy. However, it is important to realize this is a new year; and depending on how you feel about New Year’s resolutions, a new you. Teachers will be starting new topics in class, so stay organized with a to-do list. Set goals for yourself and reach them. When you do, treat yourself to something special. Also, don’t forget to pace yourself. It’s not likely you can change completely overnight. Give it time, and eventually you will see yourself becoming more engrossed with your work. High school is the most important step in preparing for your college experi-ence. Carefully put in the time now, and it will definitely brighten your future.

by Lauren ShieldsStudent Help Desk

Carols.” Next came Veritas, the honor choir, singing “Tu Scendi,” “Need a Little Christ-mas,” and “Winter’s Heart.” A favorite that is performed every year, “Carol the Bells,” included alumni of Veritas, which created a particularly heartwarming moment. Finally, the chorus per-formed “Gloria,” “Cartoon Christmas,” “Joyeux Noel,” “Feliz Navidad,” and “Count-ing Down to Christmas.” The concert concluded with the band and chorus performing “Auld Lang Syne.” “I think the concert was a great success. It was the cul-

mination of a lot of people working together. Just to imagine well over a hundred people trying to work for the same goal can be pretty daunt-ing, but I think everyone did a great job. I was so proud of all of the music that we shared with over four hundred audi-ence members,” said Director Nadia Rizzo. The performance was well received by the audience. “We put everyone in the Christmas spirit. It was like a musical hug that we gave the Albertus community,” said Mrs.Rizzo.

Upperclassmen gather for annual Christmas dinner dance on December 11th at Town and Country Caterers in Congers, NY

Chart by Mrs. Ruppino

Page 4 Albertus Magnus High School January 2016

I know that many members of the student body believe that Syrian refugees should be kept out. In fact, I know that the majority of the country holds similar views.

Every time I think about this, it hurts. I ask the student body to consider the refugees who come to this country not with a gun hidden under their coat, but with pleading eyes, families, and the exhaustion and stress of civil war weighing upon them. There are thousands of babies born in Syria every day. Imagine coming into the world and growing up with boundaries set by fear and hatred. Some people are born and die without ever knowing anything beautiful about the world, or learning anything besides how to hide. Our country was founded on the premise of hope and solace for anyone who wanted to take part in the American dream of freedom. Yet the hearts of many Americans have hardened, and as we draw further into ourselves, we block out the people who need us the most. Everywhere I look, there is pain. The world crouches in blind terror, afraid of enemies that materialize from all sides. I do not wish to admit members of radical Islam. From September 2014 to September 2015, the United States admitted 1,682 refugees. Approximately 4.3 million people have fled Syria. A thorough background check, taking between three months and one to two years, is administered on the refugees who wish to enter this country. However, the system is not completely fool-proof, and many feel cutting off immigration is the only option. This is one of the most sensitive subjects on the minds of the American public. Dozens of articles have been published, and radio talk show hosts argue with their guests about what it means to be safe, what it means to protect our children, and what it means to be a Christian. This issue has been on my mind since the moment I reluctantly agreed to express my views, as I am afraid of what other people think; but I am more afraid of check-ing my phone to find that twenty, thirty, forty more innocent lives have been taken through gun violence, that a baby girl lost her father, or a young man lost the love of his life forever. I want those who feel the need to kill to realize that everyone should be able to find peace in his or her own God, because that is the way it was supposed to be in the beginning. I have no power to change the minds of terrorists. The voice of reason is often soft and small against the voice of dominating anger. Nevertheless, if I do not speak, there is no chance that my voice will ever be heard. Do not look upon all the refugees as radicals. It takes only a few to create a dis-torted image of the many. I truly believe that most of the people seeking entrance to this country need help, love, and a bit of kindness in their struggle for acceptance. They need to go to sleep at night without feeling as if they cannot breathe or think because the fear chokes them until they lose all faith in their fellow man. They need a chance at happiness. Is that not all anyone needs?

Calculated risks and viable solutionsWe live in an imper-

fect world, a world in which, whether you like it or not, people with evil inten-tions exist. Terrorist organi-zations such as ISIS and al-Qaeda have caused a debate throughout the United States on whether the country should admit an influx of 10,000 Syr-ian refugees. In an idealistic world, allowing these refugees seems like a no-brainer; how-ever, it is a lot more compli-cated than that. We live in a complicated world in which, whether you like it or not, the threat of extreme Islamic terrorists is prominent. Since the horrific 9/11 attacks, the amount of “deadly terror attacks com-mitted in the name of Islam” is 24,375, and radical Islamic attacks continue to rise each week (nationalreview.com). This threat is exemplified through the recent, unfortu-nate attacks in Paris that took the lives of 130 people. There were 19 individuals involved in the attacks of 9/11, and 8 individuals who carried out the recent attacks in Paris. It

Billions of humans, but no humanity

Students recently participated in an optional, anonymous poll to gauge their opinions regarding the current Syrian refugee

crisis. Magnus Monitor distributed the poll in homeroom before Thanksgiving, and 201 students responded:

is not a matter of how many perpetrators commit a crime; it is a matter of how a few ter-rorists can harm hundreds and thousands of people, includ-ing Americans throughout the United States. Some believe that if the refugees are found to have no radical ties to Islam, they should be allowed entry. In response, FBI Director James Comey said at a hearing at a House Committee on Home-land Security that the federal government does not have the capabilities to conduct ad-equate background checks on the 10,000 refugees. Simply put, to allow thousands of Syr-ian refugees to enter America offers the likelihood that a ter-rorist may slip into the coun-try undetected, giving him or her an opportunity to carry out more devastating attacks. The recent attacks in San Bernardino involved two radi-cal Islamists who managed to go undetected in California, plotting and executing their crime on their neighbors and co-workers. This act shook the core of American secu-

rity. If there is no way to guarantee that those entering are not terrorists, this puts Americans at risk. We live in a lim-ited world in which, whether you like it or not, resources are scarce and finite. Again, it would be amazing if every-one in the world had something to eat and a house to stay in. But, that reality does not exist in this world. The United States is the most pros-perous country in the world, but that does not mean every-one in the country is able to share in that wealth. In the United States alone, 46.7 million live in poverty, according to Feeding Ameri-ca. This massive problem gets only tougher with incoming Syrian refugees. According to the United States Senate, approximately 90% of the in-coming Middle Eastern refu-gees will rely on food stamps, and almost 70% will receive cash welfare (www.sessions.senate.gov). While millions of

Americans are unable to attain their basic needs, why should we only worsen the problem for taxpayers further by allow-ing thousands of foreign refu-gees into the US? Now, I am not saying the world should leave the refu-gees in their current situation in Syria. Instead, in my opin-ion, the best option is to estab-lish a safe zone closer to their homeland. If the UN works with Syria’s neighboring countries, Jordan and Turkey, to garner more support and protection for their refugee camps, this could perhaps be the best scenario for all. The refugees would be

safe; the United States would avoid garnering more notoriety in the eyes of radical Islamic terrorists. The plan is practi-cal, as Jordan and Turkey both oppose ISIS. Even if this proposed plan never comes to fruition, it is in the best interests of the United States to put its own citizens first before others. This is not any sort of jab or insult to any foreigners, as they do contrib-ute positively to America. But in this case, the cold hard truth is that the United States faces more potential perils rather than rewards in allowing Syr-ian refugees into the country.

Photo courtesy of Associated Press

by Emma Woodhead and Dominique Smith

Refugee CRisis: student Poll

America should allow refugees into the country: 9 students (4.5%)America should allow refugees into the country, but should pause to screen the background of all refugees to ensure they pose no threat to Americans: 84 students (41.8%)America should not allow refugees into the country: 73 students (36.3%)No comment: 35 students (17.1%)

Syrian Refugees: What Should America Do?

One School, Many ViewpointsAmid political and social debate surrounding the Syrian refugee crisis, two Albertus students anonymously offer their opinions

Chart by Dominique Smith

Editorials

January 2016 Albertus Magnus High School Page 5

With temperatures dropping, people start

shedding their fall apparel for more seasonable styles. Fellow fashion lovers, it is time to pull those faux fur articles, such as jackets and vests, out of the closet. Faux furs give an alterna-tive choice between real ani-mal furs and synthetic fur. For many people, just the sound of synthetic may seem appalling; but if you can find a well-man-ufactured, man-made fur, it can be chic, festive, and warm. During New York Fashion Week in February, many de-signers placed pieces of faux fur in their line. Not only did these faux furs look identical to real animal fur, but also they were spunky, rocking bright colors and different patterns.

Fake, phony, or faux is fabulousby Gia Cricchio

Table TalkTidbits of World News

by Dylan Winchell

Absolute chaos broke out across social media following Steve Harvey’s incorrect crowning of Miss Colombia

Ariadna Gutierrez as Miss Universe…on live television. As many know, Gutierrez actually came in second to the Philippines’ Pia Wurtzbach. The mistake, of course, generated mixed reactions from all those involved, chiefly Harvey, Gutierrez, and Wurtzbach. Once realizing his mistake of misreading the cue card, Harvey interrupted Miss Colombia’s celebration with a sincere apology and crowned Miss Philippines as the new Miss Universe. Days later on a Colombian radio station, Gutierrez expressed her well-deserved frustration with the way the pageant handled the situation, saying that she was “humiliated by the great injustice.” Wurtzbach took a more conservative stance as to why Harvey could have made the mistake. When asked if she thought Harvey should return as host next year, Wurtzbach said, “It was his first time to judge a pageant, but it’s okay. He’s human. People make mistakes.” The models’ drastically different comments leave many wondering how much the outcome of the pageant affects their rationale, but as of now whether or not Harvey will return next year is yet to be determined. Source: www.abcnews.com

Miss Universe finalists respond to Steve Harvey mistake

Last year, human remains were unearthed from their resting place beneath the playground of Edinburgh’s

oldest functioning primary school. Bronze-Aged pottery, dated circa 4,000 years old, were also found. From this evidence, AOC Archaeology scientists deduced that the individual’s bones were from roughly the same time period. They were, however, surprised about the age of the bones following carbon dating testing. The man was from the 16th century. The damaging of the bones around his neck led scientists to believe he was murdered; his age could prove to be the clue as to how. According to Edinburgh city records, an execution device similar to a gallows stood nearby at the Newhaven docks around the time the individual would have died. From the injuries that never healed in his neck, the scientists decided the man had been executed, most likely for piracy. Councilor Richard Lewis, Culture Convener for the City of Edinburgh Council, said, “Thanks to carbon dating techniques, archaeologists now know that the skeleton was likely to have been a murder victim, and quite possibly a pirate.” AOC Archaeology has yet to decide what to do with this information, but will conduct their tests with this in mind. Source: news.discovery.com

16th-century human remains found beneath playground

Pizza Wars: The Price Cuts Awaken

American pizza giants Papa John’s and Pizza Hut have gone to war over your money. To start out the new

year, Pizza Hut and Papa John’s both offered similar deals designed to do one thing--sell large quantities of food to beat out the competition. The first to fire was Pizza Hut, in an attempt to catch up to Papa John’s staggering five per-cent revenue growth reported by Papa John’s at its North American stores. In response, Papa John’s released a sim-ilar deal the next day, hoping for a similar response. When asked for comments, Domino’s spokesman Tim McIntyre said, “We (Domino’s) don’t get involved with that ‘prod-uct-of-the-month’ gimmick. We left behind ‘limited time only’ a long time ago.” Coincidentally, Domino’s is the only pizza company to report repeated growth since 2009. It’s too early to tell what the impact of the competition between Pizza Hut and Papa John’s will be, but the deals should certainly shift money around within the competitor companies. Source: cnn.com

by Jahalee Johnson

“May the FORCE be with you!” Can you identify the difference in the comics below?

“ComiC” Relief

Photo courtesy of fabulousfurs.com

opinions

Choosing faux fur as a substitute for real fur has its advantages: • No animals are harmed in the process. • Faux fur-wearers will be iconic fashion trend setters.• Faux fur is less expensive and easy to clean.

Page 6 Albertus Magnus High School January 2016

This winter, the weather has been unusually warm. When the temperature does drop, however, this soup will definitely complement a snowy evening.

by Erin Santos

Yields: 4 servings

Cook bacon in a medium saucepan until crisp; drain. Reserve 2 tablespoons of bacon fat. Return bacon fat to the saucepan. Add potatoes, carrot, onion, and celery. Cook, stirring frequently for 6 to 7 minutes or until potatoes are tender. Combine evaporated milk and flour in a small bowl until blended; add to potato mixture. Stir in clams with juice, salt, bacon, Worcestershire sauce, and pepper.Reduce heat to medium low; cook, stirring frequently for 15 to 20 minutes or until creamy and slightly thick. Source: www.cookinglight.com

Ingredients:4 slices of bacon chopped1 pound potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch chunks1/4 cup chopped carrot1/4 cup chopped onion1/4 cup finely chopped celery2 cans evaporated milk1/4 cup all purpose flour2 cans minced clams, undrained1/2 tsp. salt, to taste1/2 tsp.Worcestershire sauce, to taste1/4 tsp. black pepper, to taste

This year, the Thanksgiving food drive exceeded the school-wide goal of 70 baskets. Students collected

food that was assembled into 74 attrac-tive holiday baskets and distributed to families in need throughout Rockland County. The students also included hand-written letters to each family, wishing them holiday cheer. “I was blessed to be there when the baskets were given out to these families. I wish that I could transmit the smiles I saw on the faces of the parents and the children when they knew they were go-ing to be able to celebrate Thanksgiving with a delicious meal this year,” said Sr. Nancy Richter, coordinator of the drive. “We receive blessings in return when we give, and it certainly was evident the night I saw the baskets distributed,” said Sr. Nancy.

‘Twas the season for giving Food drive breaksrecord once againby Zuni-Mar Espaillat

Humans were put on the Earth to use the foods that grow from it. This is the philosophy of Back To Earth, an all-natural health

and wellness market in New City, only five minutes from Albertus. Started in 1971, Back To Earth strives to create a quick alternative to highly processed groceries and chain supermarkets. The store features a variety of organic, healthy vitamins, produce, cereals, snacks, crackers, sweets, and much more. There are store-prepared food options, such as hummus and black bean salad, avail-able from the deli counter. There is also a salad bar, daily rotating entrees, and boxed sandwiches, some of which are vegan and veg-etarian. A small bakery counter provides delicious vegan and non-vegan desserts that are sure to please. Some may find it difficult to adhere to a healthy diet when un-healthy options are so prevalent. With the convenience and ease of Back To Earth, however, people across Rockland and beyond can find an oasis of fresh fruits, vegetables, and non-processed, minimal-

ingredient staple foods and treats to supple-ment their diets. Goodbye, two page ingredient list, and hello, health from the inside out!

Getting Back to the Basics

by Emily Auld

Students give life with blood donations

The annual Toy Drive was a suc-cess yet again. This year each

grade donated to a specific charity, including Toys For Tots and three local charities. For the first time, each student who donated received a raffle ticket; the winner, junior JoAnn Coyne, received a prize of her choosing. However, the raffle was not the focus of the drive; the focus was the chance to help chil-dren, from infancy to 13 years of age. According to Sister Nancy Richter, the Toy Drive went very well. “The drive was absolutely a success; we were able to give 600 toys to chil-dren and disabled adults for charities. I was blessed to see the faces and smiles of little children when they received the gifts. Our students are wonderful, and I hope they realize the great impact they make on those who have less,” said Sr. Nancy. The toy drive reminds all that Christmas is not only about receiving, but also about giving. The school community hopes for another successful toy drive next year.

by Pie Kardgar

Directions:

New England Clam Chowder

Back to EarthNatural Foods Deli

& Market306 S. Main Street,

New City, NY

Left to right: Paulina Dore, Alexa Roventini, Jordan Rivera, Gabriel Lara, Madison Mari, Sydney New-

bury. All photos by Mrs. Hilliard

Left to right: Michelle Barry, Megan Bragaglia, Isa-bella Bono, Casey Bischoff, Joe Campitiello,

Samantha Heavner.

Albertus students, faculty members, and families gather more than 600 toys for underprivileged children

Boxes of collected and sorted food line the school hallway prior to delivery. Photo by

Selena Roberts

Photo courtesy of toysfortots.com

Teenage foodie reviews local market Tasty soup for a cold winter’s night

Young men and women donated at a New York Blood Center drive in the school gymnasium on December 10th

Left to right: Gina Valvo, Siobhan Murphy, Addie Gerber.

Back to Earth storefront in New City, NY.Photo courtesy of yelp.com

lifEstylE

Photo courtesy of cookinglight.com

January 2016 Albertus Magnus High School Page 7

Mockingjay flies for the last timeby Samantha Pisano

The Force Awakens explodes at the box officeby Jacklyn Onody

Master of None captures Netflix viewersby Kiera Egan

After a year of anticipa-tion, The Hunger Games:

Mockingjay Part 2 was re-leased in November to excited viewers everywhere. Due to the success of Suzanne Col-lins’ book trilogy, the fourth and final movie installment was sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Starring the Oscar-winning Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, and Liam Hems-worth, the film depicts the dis-tressed nation of Panam. After being attacked by a brainwashed Peeta, Katniss is injured while attempting to as-semble advocates against the Capitol. Despite her wounds, she is determined to kill Presi-dent Snow herself, but is de-nied entry into battle by rebel-lion leader President Coin. Regardless, Katniss boards a supply ship headed for the Capitol, where an invasion

After a decade-long break, the Star Wars series re-

turns to the media spotlight with a new installment: Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Di-rected by J.J. Abrams, this new film has emerged as the long-awaited sequel to 1983’s The Return of the Jedi. Fans slept overnight to en-sure they had a good seat for the premiere, and box office sales broke records before the movie even hit the screen. All types of merchandise are once more available, featuring Star Wars characters. This excite-ment is due to the 30-year wait for this sequel to the much-hyped series. As super fans and casual viewers can agree, it was certainly worth the wait. Many new characters have

Co-created by and star-ring Aziz Ansari, Mas-

ter of None is one of the most refreshing and interest-ing shows out there. Follow-ing Dev (Ansari), an aspiring actor in New York City, each episode addresses modern-day problems facing the pro-tagonist and others his age. The show premiered on November 6th, 2015 to Net-flix viewers, adding to an already impressive lineup of current show and movies on the platform. In recent months, the company’s orig-

inal series have gained traction among television viewers, al-lowing them to compete with other major TV outlets. In a mere ten episodes, the show includes topics such as racial stereotyping in the act-ing industry, gender-based harassment, and the hardships that come with relationships and dating in the 21st century. Despite such serious issues in the storyline, an abundance of comedy is present. Ansari provides entertaining and sa-tirical social commentary on the technological obsessions

EntErtainmEnt

occurs. During the invasion, District 13 soldier Boggs is chosen to lead Katniss, Gale, Peeta, Finnick, and Cressida. The squad is safely sent to re-cord the infiltration for propa-ganda, but Boggs is mortally wounded. Before dying, he gives Katniss command of a holographic map to help them avoid dangerous traps. Nevertheless, the group runs into trouble, causing Peeta momentarily to return to his brainwashed state, attack-ing Katniss. The squad takes shelter in an abandoned build-ing soon destroyed by Peace-makers; but Katniss and crew escape. However, Peacemak-ers believe Katniss has been killed in the explosion, and the Capitol broadcasts a message to announce her death. The team travels via sew-ers in the Capitol to avoid

explosions but is attacked by genetically-engineered crea-tures. When survivors reach the surface again, the team is chased by yet another group of Peacemakers, finding refuge in a shop basement. The Capitol realizes reb-els are gaining ground, and President Snow invites Capitol citizens to his house for safety. Katniss and Gale pose as refu-gees to gain access to Presi-dent Snow. Soon after, rebels arrive and attack, killing inno-cent bystanders and children. Unimaginably, the situation gets even crazier, and events take a turn for the worst. The Hunger Games: Mock-ingjay Part 2 is filled with nonstop action and a multi-tude of emotions. The film is a roller-coaster of events that will surely satisfy audiences everywhere.

been introduced to the series, presenting exciting twists to the audience. The evil Empire is now replaced by the First Order, controlled by Supreme Leader Snoke. Main characters Rey and former Storm Trooper Fin now align to aide the rebellion. A new droid, BB-8, accompa-nies these new freedom fight-ers and will entertain with its remarkable navigational abili-ties and charming language sounds (much like his forerun-ner R2D2). However, if you do not like the new cast, familiar faces return to this galaxy far, far away. All returning characters have their nostalgic moments in the film and are heartily welcomed by the audience.

Nevertheless, they play an im-portant part of the new story in the Star Wars franchise. Following the movie’s re-lease on December 18, sales went through the roof. The movie’s debut made $529M worldwide, shattering Juras-sic World’s previous record of $524.9M. The Force Awakens also shattered another sales record formally set by Titanic. The movie has already yielded over $1.7 billion. It is definite-ly a must-see for Star Wars en-thusiasts, as well as those new to the saga. Now that the force has awak-ened, Star Wars fans cannot wait for the next installment of the franchise, currently set to premiere on May 27, 2017. Photo courtesy of starwars.com

Photo courtesy of lionsgate.com

of today, including segments with Dev’s hours-long search on food rating apps trying to find the best taco truck, or complaining about those who don’t answer texts in a timely fashion. Minor characters Arnold (Eric Wareheim, of Tim and Eric fame) and Denise (Laina Walthe) keep the show inter-esting. Two of the funniest, minor characters are undoubt-edly Dev's parents, portrayed by Ansari's real-life parents. Their acting skills provide a charming and slightly offbeat

Photo courtesy of netflix.com

form of comedy. Overall, Master of None is highly recommended for all Netflix viewers, and it is on its way to becoming one of the best new sitcoms this year. James Poniewozik of The New York Times, calls the show “an adorable but ma-ture rom-com,” indicative of Netflix’s recent commer-ical success.

Albertus Magnus High School798 Route 304

Bardonia, NY 10954Newspaper Staff

Contact us @ newspaper@albertusmagnus.net Magnus Monitor is a student-produced newspaper that pub-lishes four times a year. Student editors make all content deci-sions under the supervision of the advisor. The newspaper is a member of the Columbia Scholastic Press Association and the Scholastic Press Association. Opinions expressed within the paper do not represent the staff’s views or the views of the Albertus Magnus administra-tion and staff. Letters to the editor are encouraged but cannot be anonymous. Please submit via email to newspaper@albertusmagnus.net.

Editor-in-ChiefSamantha Heavner

Co-Editor-in-Chief Selena RobertsLayout Editors

Edward Faro, Reilly Golden, Chelsea Yagel, Karishma Melwani,

Tayina Solon, Tamara Jones

Photographers Leah Hopson, Toni-Linn Moore,Ms. Jenn Wassmer, Mrs. Hilliard,

Mr. Michael FevolaFaculty Advisor

Mrs. Rose RuppinoSpecial Thanks

Sr. Nancy Richter

January 2016 Albertus Magnus High School Page 8

arts & activitiEsWinter nights are warmed by Hamlet

by Jessica Kilb

Students anxious to “Cut Footloose”

by Tamara Jones

Each year, dozens of Albertus music students participate in a New York State School Music Association festival. Participants prepare vocal or instrumental solos, which

they then perform for trained adjudicators. Based on scores received at these festivals, students with exceptional achievement in music are chosen to participate in concerts at the All-County, Area All-State, or regional, and All-State levels. This school year, Albertus has had the most students chosen for All-County in school history. Out of 50 NYSSMA participants from the music department, 12 students have received the honor of being selected for Mixed or Women’s Choirs at the All-County level, as well as Area All-State Women’s Choir. To be invited into All-County, students sang advanced music in languages such as French, Italian, Spanish, and German. Performing Arts Director Mrs. Nadia Rizzo plans to work with those chosen students to prepare them for the concerts. On the day of the NYSSMA concerts, students from across the region meet and rehearse for 8 hours, preparing in less than 24 hours for a spectacular concert. “I was selected for the All-County Mixed Choir. I’m so thrilled to be accepted and to have another opportunity to sing with the best kids in the county. I’m looking forward to meeting new people who have the same interests I do,” commented junior Gianna Scollo. While those who were chosen eagerly anticipate the upcoming Rockland All-County concert, other NYSSMA solo participants hope to earn a spot for next year through their performance in the solo festival this spring. Overall, the music department looks forward to an energetic NYSSMA season.

by Dominique Smith

Talented students selected for honor ensembles

The Underground The-ater Alliance performed

Shakespeare’s timeless Ham-let on January 8th & 9th. The play follows the tragic tale of Prince Hamlet of Denmark who, after being visited by his dead father’s ghost, turns to madness and indecision over whether or not to take revenge on the murderer, his uncle Claudius. This was not a typical show, as the directors deliberately switched gender roles in the play. Sophomore Jessica Kilb took the lead role of Hamlet, acting beside freshman Eliza-beth Rauchet as Claudius. Rounding out the trio of woe was junior Tommy Loughran, who played Gertrude. Senior Reilly Golden portrayed the long-winded Polonius, and se-nior John Gardner performed as the ill-fated Ophelia.

This year’s spring musi-cal Footloose follows the

story of rebellious teenager Ren McCormack, who moves from Boston to the small Southern town of Bomont, which has banned dancing and rock music. Although Ren has a hard time fitting in, meeting the minister’s daughter Ariel Moore makes his transition easier. Ren’s rebellious spirit constantly gets him into trou-ble as he strives to make danc-ing legal again in Bomont. When Director Nadia Riz-zo announced the title of the spring musical, the whole school jumped for joy. The cast and stage crew are cur-rently hard at work to prepare for their March shows. “As soon as Mrs. Rizzo made the announcement, I knew it would be a great show. I’m looking forward to the production in the spring,” said junior Gabby Favre.

Students chosen at the NYSSMA music festival to perform at All-County or All-State levels

Top: James Musgni as Bernardo, Kiera Egan as Laertes, Conor Silverstein as Horatio, and Jessica Kilb as Hamlet

Bottom: Evan McMenamin as Rosencrantz, Seamus Townsend as Guildenstern, Reilly Golden as Polonius, and James Musgni in a

comical moment as Bernardo. Photos by Mr. Michael Fevola

In the past, the UTA has staged Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and The Winter’s Tale; but this year is the first time the club has had two directors. Siobhan Murphy and Derek Kelly co-directed the theater group, doing a remarkable job orchestrating the production of the play. “I am proud of how much work the cast of Hamlet has put into this production. Their dedication and passion to this show was nothing short of im-pressive. I’m so glad I have had the chance to spend these last few months working with this amazing group of people,” said Murphy. “Everyone worked really hard this year, and I think it has lead up to a great perfor-mance,” said Kelly at the con-clusion of the show.

Underground Theater Alliance enjoys another successful show season

Practices for annual spring musical begin amid widespread excitement

“Expectations for the show this year are through the roof. We are going to blow the au-dience out of their seats,” said Senior Kelly Nicholson, who earned the role of Ariel.

The dates of the show are set for March 18th, 19th, and 20th. Footloose is expected to be one of the best performanc-es from the AMHS drama de-partment in recent years.

Show Dates: March 18, 19, and 20Playbill created by Chris DeGennaro