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St. Joseph High School's Official Student-Produced Newspaper
Editor & Graphic Design: Justine Spinelli, '23
Editorial Staff: Taylor Hunkele, '23 & Nicholas Sarno-Brown, '24
Advisor: Mrs. Schratz
FALL 2022
Photo credits: Justine Spinelli '23 & Anne Schratz
Rising into a new tradition
By Justine Spinelli ‘23
The Class of 2023 hosted a Senior Sunrise event on October 14 at 7:29 a.m. in the Humanities parking lot.
The gathering was a way to symbolize the start of senior year together as a class. The group enjoyed breakfast in the parking lot with donuts, homemade cinnamon rolls, coffee, and juice.
When asked about this new tradition, Taylor Hunkele said, “I think it is a really good idea because we do not have very many traditions at the beginning of the school year especially for just our class.”
Even though the early morning fog hid the sun, the seniors still felt the positivity of launching their final year together.
Everyone pitched in to make this happen. Students brought the breakfast food and drinks, and many wrapped themselves in blankets to keep warm in the cool autumn air. A few guys tossed a football around too, which added to the light-hearted feel.
Teachers, Michael Stitt, Anne Schratz, and David Widenhofer came to provide some company.
Senior Jordan Gigler even offered the bed of his truck to be used as a buffet table.
He said, “I was very happy to lend it and it was a great way to participate with the set up.” This gave the parking lot event a real tailgate vibe. He hopes this tradition can be continued.
There are plans for a Senior Sunset at the end of the year too. It will be one last time for everyone to come together before graduation as a send-off.
“It was a very good bonding experience for the students and teachers that came," remarked Gigler.
Receiving a class ring is a time honored way to commemorate the achievements of high school.
Photo credit: Anne Schratz
Junior Michaela Peratt receives her class ring from senior Cassidy Safran.
Photo credit: Allie Meier '25
During Junior retreat, students gather in a circle for the "Web of Hope" in which they name something they hope for this year and toss a ball of yarn to classmate.
Photo credit: Anne Schratz
Junior Retreat and Ring Day combine faith, friends, tradition
By Nicholas Sarno-Brown ‘24
The Junior Class attended a day-long retreat on October 19, 2022 at St. Vincent College in anticipation of their Ring Day. Students involved in campus ministry at St. Vincent College planned small-group discussions on the subject of evangelism in the modern world and discussed their own religious practices.
Students attended mass alongside one another, spent some time in Eucharistic adoration, and ate lunch in the college cafeteria. Being on a college campus together is part of the fun of the day.
Junior Gabe Forster said his favorite part of the retreat was lunch.
Junior Jamie Noonan said, "My favorite part was getting to hang out with friends in other environments and spend more time with classmates that I don't really have any classes with”.
Once back at SJHS, students reflected on their hopes and expectations for the year, shared parable-related activities in small groups and made arrangements regarding their Ring Day Celebration.
On October 20, the juniors celebrated Ring Day. The student body, friends and family all joined together in Guardian Angels Parish/Most Blessed Sacrament Church for Mass and the annual Ring Day Ceremony. Mass was celebrated by Fr. Andrew Fischer followed by the tradition of seniors presenting class rings to each of the juniors. Afterward they had a nice meal catered by Costa's Italian Market in the Saint John Paul II Center.
Noonan said she did not buy a Ring from Jostens because it was too expensive. "I didn't care for the look of them and I wanted something simple,” she admitted.
Another Junior, Julie Spinelli, said her favorite part of Ring Day was having no classes. "It was great having the day to prepare and then have a nice lunch with my class after,” Spinelli said.
When asked if having a class ring means something special, Spinelli concluded, “The ring will definitely always remind me of my connection to Saint Joseph High School.”
Student Council had their first meeting during lunch in the JPII room.
Photo credit: Bezawit Yitnalem '23
This is a pin Class Officers wear.
Photo credit: Bezawit Yitnalem '23
New class officers are ready to represent the student body
By Bezawit Yitnalem, '23
Near the end of September, an election for Student Council was held for each grade level. Before the voting, each candidate had the choice to present a speech.
“I decided to run for class President because I felt we needed someone who could attend all the meetings and represent the student body,” Jordan Gigler ‘23 said after winning the election.
The class officers had their first meeting on Nov. 2. In these meetings, the members come together to discuss their agenda.
“I will talk in homeroom and get their thoughts and then the next meeting bring those back and share them,” Secretary Nicholas Sarno-Brown ‘24 said. “Sometimes we are able to accomplish everything in 15 minutes, some more like 30 minutes. It all depends on what needs to be done.”
Despite not having a meeting yet, there were already plans and projects in mind. Gigler expressed his idea of starting a food drive in December to help families in need during the holidays.
One thing the junior class did was continue the Ring Day tradition. “The junior class officers played an extensive part in getting Ring Day done and it was a success!” Sarno-Brown said.
Student council expressed problems they found within our school, and most of them seem to see the same issue: students not being heard.
“I decided to run because I wanted to be able to have my and the freshman class’s voices be heard,” President Niviah Andree ‘26 stated. “I feel just throughout high school the freshman are always treated as less than the rest, so I would like to change that and have our opinions and views be acknowledged by the upperclassmen."
Regardless, the future of our student body is bright. With many projects and ideas in mind, our class officers are ready to put their best foot forward and take action.
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