The Journalism & Marketing Academy Beat

Clearing Up the Dress Code

By: The Journalism Jams

The Journalism Academy interviewed Mrs. Junik on our Dress Code. Some people have been confused about the specific details of the Dress Code, and we have answered the current questions that everyone has been asking.  On regular Dress Code days, Mrs. Junik says that we can have school-colored quarter zips, and neutral colors are also allowed. They should be an appropriate length with no big logos. In addition,  Lululemon scubas with a hood are not permitted. Crewnecks are allowed, as long as they are school colors and have no big logos. Students should also wear a collared shirt underneath. Absolutely no hoodies are permitted. Regarding skirts, no Lululemon skirts or white skirts should be worn. They should be navy, khaki, or plaid. During professional dress up days, Mrs. Junik wants to reinforce the length of the skirts. Students need to make sure that their skirts are an appropriate length. We hope this information clears things up!

Damar Hamlin

By: Sherrad Bennard

Around 8 pm Eastern Time January 2nd, the Bills and the Bengals were playing in a huge game. If the Bills had won, they would’ve been the number one seed. Everything was going alright until a tragic event occurred. Damar Hamlin made a tackle on Tee Higgins, but the way he made the tackle is what caused the tragic event that took place in that stadium. Tee Higgins was striving for extra yards with his helmet down and his helmet went into Damar Hamlin's chest and caused him to go into cardiac arrest. The training staff at the stadium came and helped him right away. They gave him CPR 9 times (he basically died). They were able to get his heart to beat again, and they put him under a breathing ventilator to help him until he got to the hospital. Damar Hamlin finally got to the hospital, and of course, he was on 24-hour watch because cardiac arrest is really dangerous and you can die from it. He was on a breathing tube for about 5 days just until things were back to normal, and he was able to breathe again. He wasn't able to talk as good because he was still getting back used to breathing on his own. Damar Hamlin was able to write on paper though and communicate with his family and doctors in that way. Damar Hamlin is now out of the hospital and back in Buffalo and looking forward to a speedy recovery and is able to walk and talk again.

Prepare for Prom

By: Jarett dePerio

Before you know, it will be time to shop for dresses and tuxedos, boutonnieres and corsages, limos and pictures. That’s right, Prom will be upon us much sooner than you may think! On January 12th, the senior and junior senate members took a trip to our venue for this year’s Prom. A spacious interior coupled with tons of downtown culture and themes, our Prom will be held at Riverworks in the heart of Downtown Buffalo. Both senates are extremely excited for this year’s dance, and we can’t wait to see what 2023’s Prom has in store! Don’t take it from me though, take it from Junior VP Carter Spaulding: “Get ready to have a blast at prom as we get lit under the city lights! Be there or be square!” Keep an eye out for future updates about Prom and other school events in the weekly SCOOP!

Chess

By: Andrew Carlson

Chess, one of the oldest board games in existence, has long been known as a game of strategy and skill. Recent research has revealed that playing chess may offer a variety of physical and mental benefits to those who engage in the game.

A study conducted at the University of Toronto revealed that chess can help enhance problem solving skills, memory, and creativity. The study found that those who participated in a six-month chess program showed improved performance on tests of problem solving and memory recall.

Chess has also been linked to improved academic performance. A study conducted at the University of Witwatersrand in South Africa found that students who participated in a year-long chess program showed significant improvement in mathematics, reading, and writing scores.

In addition to cognitive benefits, chess may also offer physical health benefits. A study conducted in 2016 found that chess players had lower levels of stress hormones in their bodies after engaging in a chess tournament. This suggests that playing chess can be a great way to reduce stress.

Chess is also a great way to socialize. Studies have shown that playing chess with family and friends can help to build relationships and improve communication skills.

Chess is an easy game to learn and can be enjoyed by people of all ages. With its wide range of physical and mental benefits, it’s no wonder that chess is becoming increasingly popular.

A New Legend Being Added To The Rafters

By: Joshua Gennocro

The Buffalo Sabres are unveiling a new legend to the rafters on January 19th. They will be unveiling Ryan Miller's banner and rising it to the rafters where the rest of the Sabres legends are! Ryan Miller was a goaltender for the Sabres from 2002 - 2014. He won a Vesna Trophy in 2007 and won a silver medal in the 2010 Winter Olympic Games!

Ryan Miller had such a great career. He was a great guy on and off the ice and will be regarded as one of the best Sabres players of all time. He led the Sabres to the 2007 Eastern Conference Finals where they fell in 7 games to the Ottawa Senators. Ryan Miller will be remembered as a Sabres legend!

Lulu Lemon's A Scam!

By: Madelyn Boglev

Teenangers go through extreme lengths to find clothing that will impress others. In America, millions of teenagers are scraping every penny to purchase popular clothing which brings up their reputations. This phenomenon has been present since the beginning of time. But now, inflation is happening and bank accounts are bound to be empty. A popular example of this trend is Lulu Lemon. Lulu Lemon is a Canadian athletic brand that is well known for their leggings. These best-selling leggings, which are at the high price of $128, are said to be "buttery soft and lay smoothly" according to www. Review.com.  Are these leggings truly the best on the market? Or are they just a popular item because of the high price?

Recap of the Men's Soccer 2022 Season 

By: Liam Keyes & Alex Bonuito

Their season got off to an amazing start, beating teams like Canisius and St. Joes. Everyone on the team was doing their respective jobs to get give the Lancers a boost going into the second half of the season. Towards the end of the season, the Lancers either got cocky or lost confidence because they went on to lose against St. Joes and Canisius by three or more goals. The Lancers conceded only four goals at the start of the season, but at the end of the season, conceded over 15, which was very upsetting for the Lancers. Overall, they had the record-breaking season having the best record in St. Mary’s Varsity Soccer history, beating big schools, but unfortunately, losing in the semifinals to St. Joes. There are three players on the team who are predicted to go on and play at the next level. Brady Callahan, Tyler Warmington, and Alex Bonuito are either going to play at an NCAA III or NCAA II universities.

Senior Disney Trip

By: Danny Perillo

This year’s senior class trip was to Walt Disney World and was supposed to be a three-and-a-half day trip. The seniors all got to Disney around 1 pm on their first day and their first park they went to was Epcot. Epcot is a park with all different countries from around the world and food stands from these countries, also accompanied by some rides. The second day the seniors set out to Magic Kingdom, which was full of fun rides and was a lot of the seniors' favorite park. All the seniors went to sleep that second night ready to go to Hollywood Studios the next morning, but they woke up on the third day surprised with very bad news. The seniors had to find an emergency flight home to get to their own houses before the snowstorm in Buffalo hit. The trip was a very fun experience but was shortened by another Buffalo snowstorm.

Fed Hockey Team Midseason Review

By: William Whited

The St. Mary's Fed Hockey Team is on the back-half of their season, so let's take a look at how they are doing. They hold a 4-1-3 record overall, but 0-1-3 in the Monsignor Martin division. Led by Jake Dantonio with 6 goals and 11 assists for 17 points through 8 games, the Lancers have put up the least amount of goals in the division with 7 and have 3 ties, the latest coming to St. Francis. Their next game is this Sunday vs St. Francis at 7:45 pm at Holiday Twin Rinks. The back-half of this season will get a lot easier for the Lancers who should be able to right the ship.

2022 Blizzard

By: Ethan Young

The blizzard that went on in the past few weeks was nothing short of intense. This is supposedly one of the most brutal blizzards on record, even topping the '70's blizzard. Many people had to stay home, buried by constant waves of relentless snow, but that wasn’t the worst of it. People on many roads in Buffalo became stuck in their cars, either by accident or for ignoring the travel bans. The blizzard isolated us for a short time and caused some serious damage to power lines, cars, farms, and much more. Thank God that it’s over now!

Interview with Deacon Robb

By: Annalese Patsalides

Q: What did you do before coming to teach at St. Mary’s?

A: I taught theology and campus ministry at Immaculata Academy in Hamburg.

Q: What made you want to teach religion?

A: Immaculata Academy closed and this job came about, and God wanted me to come here. How I knew God wanted me to come to St. Mary’s was that the desk in my room was purchased by St. Mary’s when Immaculata closed, and I didn’t know that until I came in. When I came to St. Mary’s the desk was in my room where I am now, room 214, and I took it as a sign from God that this was where I was supposed to be. 

Q: Why do you like to teach the freshmen?

A: I like to teach freshmen because they are eager and willing and fun. 

Q: What made you want to dress up as Santa Claus for St. Mary’s Night in the Village?

A: I was asked to and thought that was something I would be interested in, and my wife is Mrs. Claus.

Q: When you dress up as Santa what is your favorite part?

A: The little kids are amazed by the presence of someone and something they believe in. 

Q: Why do you think people should come to St. Mary’s Night in the Village?

A: To support the local businesses and shops during the Christmas season. 

Q: What is your favorite Mass song to sing and why?

A: "Sanctuary" because it centers around the community. 

Q: What would you love to do if you didn’t teach?

A: I would love to continue being a professional photographer. 

Q: Would you ever dye your hair/beard?

A: Yes, but before the Christmas season, and I would dye it red. 

Q: If you weren’t Catholic what religion would you relate to/if any? 

A: Jewish traditions

Q: How long have you been teaching at St. Mary’s?

A: I have been teaching at St. Mary’s for 6 years. 

Q: Who is the most influential person in your life and why?

A: My dad because I admire his faith, his willingness to try anything, and he is 94 years old and willing to keep going. 

Q: Which teacher do you not like?

A: Max Mauro

Q: Which staff/faculty member has the best hair?

A: Max Mauro

Q: Who is your favorite teacher staff/faculty member?

A: The kitchen staff because they feed me

Q: What do you like most about photography club?

A: The openness and I like teaching kids, and I like taking photos so they go together. 

Q: What is your favorite bible verse?

A: Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” 

St. Mary’s girls hockey team first win!!

By: Riley Kumrow

The St Mary’s Girls Hockey Team defeated Monsignor Martin on Monday, November 28, 2022. The final score was 4-3 with an amazing overtime goal from freshman Gabe Lowell and regulation goals from junior Reece Gall, and sophomores, Alannah Pagano and Shannon Freemen. There was also a spectacular performance from goalie, sophomore Avery hall who had 30 saves. 

This is the second year of St. Mary’s having a girls hockey team, with last year having only 10 skaters and 1 goalie, this year the roster consists of 15 skaters and 2 goalies. Coach Gilano, Coach Bri, and Coach Cassidy led the team to a very well-deserved win. The hardworking girls came to the game with there game faces on and ready to get there first win. The girls take the ice again on Monday, December 5, 2022 against HEWS.

Hanging with Ms. Voit

Q: What made you want to teach?

A: I started working with teenagers and realized it could be an option 

Q: What is your advice for St Mary's students?

A: Do your work and enjoy your life, it only goes up from here.

Q: What would your career be if it wasn’t a teacher?

A: An art director

Q: What is something you would like to complete in your lifetime?

A: Visit every major soccer stadium in Europe.

Q: What's your favorite food?

A: Pasta with grandma’s sauce

Q: What's your zodiac sign?

A: Gemini

Q: Where would your dream vacation be?

A: Amalfi Coast, Italy

Q: Any pets?

A: A dog named David

Swim State Meet

By: Livia Lehner

Sophia Noecker traveled to Long Island to represent St. Mary’s and the Monsignor Martin swim league at the Catholic High School Athletic Association's Intersectional Meet. Sophia swam a total of eight events in two days. These events included the 50-yard freestyle and 200-yard medley, posting the third-fastest Catholic times in the State. She also posted personal bests in the 200 freestyle and the 100-yard freestyle. Congratulations Sophia!!

St. Mary's Club Season is Ready to Begin!

By: Josh Gennocro

After a tough loss to the Lancaster Club A Men's Hockey Team in last season's playoffs, the boys are ready to get the ball rolling! They look to rebound this season to take a division title! The St. Mary's Men's Hockey Team is ready for any challenge that comes their way this season!  The team, run by Mark Dantonio, is looking for a bigger and brighter season in what seems like a very tough division in the Section IV Red Division. 

The team lost Davonte Watkins, which will be a big hole to fill, but there should be no problem with the talent that this team has. The boys are opening up the season at the Cheektowaga Rec Center on Friday, November 18th, at 9:00 pm, against the defending Section IV Club Champion East Aurora/Holland Hockey Team. It will be a tough matchup but St. Mary's is ready for a challenge. Then, on Friday, November 25th, at Leisure Rinks at 6:15 pm, St. Mary's looks to play the dreaded Orchard Park B. Orchard Park B has moved up from the White Division to the Red Division, but nevertheless, they always put up a fight, and that is what the players are looking for. To close out November, the boys look to play Jamestown at Cheektowaga Rec Center on Saturday, November 26th at 8:30 pm. Jamestown, after a Section IV championship themselves, are ready to defend their title and are ready for any challenges heading their way against St. Mary's!

This team looks really good and has the people of St. Mary’s High School eager and ready for the season opener against East Aurora/Holland. 

Trash to Class

By: Sherrad Bennard

The Bills won two consecutive American Football League titles in 1964 and 1965 with quarterback Jack Kemp and coach Lou Saban, but the club has yet to win a league championship since. Ever since, the Bills have never been able to win the “big games." The team had lots of potential and picked up some very talented players, but we don't know if we should blame the coaches or other teams for being better. Even with star players they traded for or picked up from college, the Bills were never able to win “big games." The Bills made some progress from 2015, and they’ve been getting better and better. They've hired some different coaches and had new players that helped them out big time. Tyrod Taylor joined in 2015, and helped them a lot rushing and passing with the wide receivers he had. We actually won some games and made it to the playoffs, but we were just never able to win big games. Later down the stretch last year, we hired a new Head Coach, Sean McDermott. They played a decent season but it wasn’t good enough. They then drafted a player named Josh Allen, and he is a beast. 

We then started to be somewhat good..

In the 2021-22 season, we made it to the playoffs and beat everyone and made it to the championship where we went against another very good team from the other coast. We played them on 23rd of January 2022. We started off slow, but took them into overtime and sadly lost the coin toss, and of course, the Chiefs took advantage and scored. The Buffalo Bills had no chance. We are now in the 2022-23 season and playing excellent. We are even favored to win the Super Bowl and conference championship. We managed to hire a new offensive coordinator, and he boosted the offense and drafted lots of good players. Their current record is 6-1 and the team are on a 4-game win streak. Hopefully, the Bills just keep working and keep getting better, and we definitely can win the Super Bowl.

Interview with Mr. Mauro

By: Josh Gennocro

Q: Where did you go to college? 

A: I went to Buffalo State.

Q:What other schools have you taught at before St. Mary’s

A: Kansas city public schools

Q: As an English teacher, what is your favorite piece of literature for you to teach? 

A: The short stories

Q: Who is the most influential person in your life?

A: My father 

Q: What is the most memorable moment in your life?

A: When I knew I had to move home

Interview with Ms. Cardamone

Q: Where did you attend high school?

A: I attended Eden High School growing up.

Q: Do you have pets?

A: I have one, a golden-doodle named Scout.

Q: How are you liking St. Mary's?

A: I love it, its really fantastic and has a great atmosphere.

Q: How long have you been teaching?

A: I have been teaching for 17 years.

Q: What’s your favorite person in history and why?

A: It would have to be Violetta Chamorro, she was a female Nicaraguan president. I typically like the female presidents in history.

Q: What’s your favorite sport? Would you ever consider coaching that sport?

A: My favorite sport is Lacrosse. I don’t think I would coach it because I don’t know much about the smaller details of the sport.