Students in high school struggle with mental health due to academic and social pressure 

By Katie White ‘23

Teens today experience increased stress because of academic demands and social influence.

When people hear the phrase mental health, many things can come to mind. Most people think that mental health has a negative connotation. However, the definition of these words doesn’t necessarily mean anything negative. Webster’s Dictionary defines mental health as “ the general condition of one's mental and emotional state.” 

The problem comes with the inability to juggle emotions properly. For teens this is extremely difficult with our brains still in the process of developing as well as hormonal changes taking place. 

Unfortunately for some teens, it is difficult to find a balance between taking care of ourselves and getting everything done. 

High school students, in particular, are pushed to their limits almost every day. With school, work, and extracurricular activities, it is difficult to manage the time students have with all the responsibility that comes with being a teenager. 

Students also have academic pressure from teachers, parents, and even themselves. 

We all want to do our best, but at what cost? Is there something more that can be done to help students who are struggling? 

When asked what they think teachers can do to help out with the mental health of students, a lot of suggestions were made. The most obvious one concerns homework. 

“I think that teachers should not give as much homework," said Madeline Meier ‘23. While students understand that they have to have homework because it is a part of school, sometimes too much is given at once.

“We’re focused on getting the work done instead of learning the information.” When we have too much homework, it is easy for students to become overwhelmed . When teens let these emotions go unchecked for a long period of time, this can worsen our mental health. 

Kathryn Huth ‘23 said, “Teachers should attempt to give us breaks when they can because sometimes school feels like an overbearing job.”

Society also plays a huge part in the mental health of students. 

When asked about this, a student who wishes to remain anonymous, said, “Social media puts a lot of pressure on us. It sets unrealistic expectations for how we should look and act.” 

Huth said, “Society definitely puts a lot of unnecessary pressure on me and none of that stuff will actually matter in the end, but it feels important at the time.” 

So with all that being said, what can be done to improve mental health? 

“The most important thing is to remove the stigma surrounding mental health. Luckily, the tide is changing and it is becoming more socially acceptable to ask for help,” David Anater said.

Natrona Heights native becomes new chef

By Julie Wilson ‘23 

Julie Fowkes is the new chef for the school cafeteria. Fowkes was born and raised in Natrona Heights, and went to our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament. Her brother and grandfather are both alumni of SJHS and she graduated from Highlands. Fowkes got into cooking when she was younger. 

She said, “My mom and dad worked a lot so I would make dinner and my family enjoyed it.” This was the beginning of her love of cooking.

She enrolled in home-economics during high school and went on to attend Indiana University of Pennsylvania’s culinary school. She even spent a semester in Italy and her externship in Key Largo, Florida. Fowkes eventually went back to the University of Indiana for her bachelors in hospitality and management. 

Students have been enjoying her food planning and preparations. 

Sophomore Riley Wilbert said, “Bosco sticks are my favorite, they are super flavorful.” She purchases lunch one to two times a week. 

Freshman Tiffani Davis buys lunch everyday and said, “The pepperoni pizza is my favorite. It is usually really good!” 

Sophomore William Boosel also loves the pizza. He said, “ Pizza is all I’ll eat. The pepperoni is better than the cheese.” 

A very popular main course is the General Tso's, which is loved by Freshman Nicholas Ferderbar. “It’s not like chicken nuggets. It tastes like actual Chinese food, with good flavor,” he contends.

Students take initiative to create new clubs

By Knij'e Middlebrook ‘25

Students join clubs to explore their interests and to connect with their peers. If a student decides to introduce a new club, a proposal must be submitted to administration for approval, and a teacher must sponsor the club before it can meet.  

Juniors Jennifer Phan and Kylie Krzewnski are the co-founders of The Women Empowerment club, an idea that they organized. Born of her experiences outside of school, Phan brought the proposal to her friends and classmates.

“I was able to converse with various women from different backgrounds to understand different perspectives on policies and debates,” said Phan. “As a result, I wanted to implement such conversations at our school.” 

Krzewnski continued, “I hope the members of our club will foster a sense of community and unity, so that they always feel that they have people to talk to and know that they are not alone.”

Their new club is off to a fantastic start.  The people who are participating are having a great experience so far. 

“I think it's important for young Catholic women to know their worth ,” said freshman Elissa Mlinarcik, "I believe that this club is going to be fun and our first meeting was very insightful,” continued Mlinarcik.

A goal for this club is to inspire more female voices. 

“I want women to feel like they have a voice and can create and lead changes in the world,” said Phan. 

This goal is way more complex than it sounds and will be hard to succeed.  

Ava Roxberry, a freshman, shared her plan of action on educating others around her. “I plan on  spreading the new ideas that we discuss in a positive way to help others better understand women,” said Roxberry. 

Likewise, sophomores Veronica McCarthy and David Schratz took it upon themselves to introduce the Poetry club. 

“I wanted to create a place to share my love for reading,” said McCarthy. She followed up and said,” I hope our club can be a place where people can enjoy reading and share their ideas.”  

Both leaders of the poetry club believe that they can create an amazing environment where they can have deep conversations about a common interest.

"We just want to start a club where we share different ideas of literature,” said Schratz. “I want to make a place where people can discuss the books that they love since they may not be able to share this hobby with everyone,” said Schratz.

The two sophomores executed their goal so far very efficiently. 

Freshman, Niviah Andree, was impressed just by the first meeting. 

“The first meeting went pretty well. I appreciate that the leaders listened to us and our opinions,” said Andree. 

Freshman, Bella Graff, had a good experience thus far as well. “I think the first meeting was really fun because I got to voice my opinion even though I am a freshman,” said Graff. 

An advantage with a club is that it helps you learn about people in your school. To be a strong community one must be able to communicate and be comfortable while doing it. 

“Overall, students will feel like they have more in common with each other than they realize. I think it takes the right environment for people to share what they love,” said Schratz.

Freshmen and sophomore classes travel to St. Vincent College

By Sophia Doyle '25

Winding along country roads lined with fall foliage, the freshman and sophomore classes each journeyed by bus to St. Vincent College for their retreat day.

Retreats help students connect with their faith, grow together as a class, and can be a day to create a bond.

 “It gives them the opportunity to do something that’s away from the school, and that forces some kind of community. It gives them the opportunity to talk to people they don’t normally talk to, and I think it’s just a great opportunity to create a community and bring the students together,” said Michael Pater, a Theology teacher. 

Retreats are a tradition that freshman students are introduced to when arriving at St. Joe’s, and each student can take something away and benefit from it. 

“I thought it was a very good experience. It could honestly give you an idea of going to that college, and we learned quite a few things as well. It was a really nice field trip,” said Domenic Dellemonache '26.

Class retreats can impact how the students communicate with one another, and bring people closer together. One way this happens is by doing icebreaker activities and bonding exercises as a class. 

“I do think the retreat brought us closer together as a class. I enjoyed talking to each other in small groups after the retreat,” said Ava Roxberry, a freshman. 

St. Vincent College is where the retreat is held for the duration of the school day. It is located in Latrobe, PA. Students get the chance to view the campus throughout their day, and spend time with students of the college. 

“Something that I wish was added was maybe a tour of the campus because it looked beautiful and I would have liked to see it more,” said Mia Jackson, a freshman.

During their time at campus, freshmen have the opportunity to receive the sacrament of Reconciliation and spend time in Eucharistic adoration.

 “You had time to relax and feel like you were with God. It was honestly a time where you could feel good and truly feel that God was with you,” Dellemonache said. 

For freshmen, the retreat is a new experience and they get the chance to try new things, and that includes some things they may have not expected to do. 

“One thing I didn’t expect was writing a letter to ourselves, but I really enjoyed it,” said Roxberry. 

The retreats can benefit the students and build relationships within the class. It can help students connect with themselves and their faith, and it can be a time to enjoy a day with new people.

“Freshman retreat for me was very uplifting, and it honestly made me feel so inspired to get closer to God and it felt like I was starting a new chapter of my life,” said Jackson. 

While the retreat is a new experience for the freshman, the sophomore class has previously experienced what the trip entails. The sophomores had some expectations going into the retreat which helped them to already have an idea of how it goes. 

“My expectations were that we were going to do group activities and discussions about God and theology as well as go to church and confession, similar to last year,” said Anthony Zavolta, a sophomore. 

Sophomore retreat focuses more on how to resolve conflicts within the class and how to build a better community throughout the school. 

“I think that the retreat brought our class closer together and helped us get to know each other better than before,” said Elaina Moore, a sophomore. 

The sophomores also spent time in Eucharistic adoration and got the opportunity to receive the sacrament of Reconciliation. During adoration and Mass, students get the chance to build their relationship with God and their faith. 

“One thing I took away from this retreat is how important it is to take more time out of your day to give to God and that we should give more to him overall,” said Zavolta.

Each student has the opportunity to enjoy something on retreat, and have fun. There are many activities offered throughout the day at St. Vincent and back at school. 

“My favorite part of the trip was when we had a more relaxed free time where I got to spend more time with my friends,” said Moore. 

Each sophomore gets the chance to learn something new, whether it is about faith, meeting new people, or learning something new about yourself. 

“I think it impacted how important it is to be with our community and that it is a lot more enjoyable when you are with your friends and teachers,” said Zavolta. 

The freshman and sophomore classes both had the chance to take something away from their retreats and learn something new. The retreats offer students the opportunity to interact outside of the school halls and get to know their classmates better. It can enhance students' perceptions about school and their faith, and bring them closer to the school community. 

Electives complete a student's schedule 

By Jesse Bernot ‘23

Each school year students choose an elective they want to take to complete their schedule. Students pre-plan what electives to take with a first, second and third choice. 

“It sounded interesting to me that’s why I took it,” said senior Brody Lilly when talking about the newest journalism elective. 

Some students select an elective based on creative interests, and others choose an academic elective. Students can try something they have never done before.

It’s good to have many options to choose from for an elective. 

These are the current electives offered include: Art History, Ceramics / Sculpture, Chemistry, Child Development, Drawing and Painting, Engineering / Robotics 1 and 2, Fundamentals of Journalism, Global Issues, Introduction to Art, Introduction French, Introduction to Psychology, Science Research, AP Senior Studio Art, and Statistics. 

Electives can be limited to a certain grade level since some are for senior year, and others have a pre-requisite.  For example, students must take Introduction to Art before Ceramics or Drawing and Painting.

“I have always got my first choice and I feel like that’s one of the bonuses to the small class size at Saint Joe's,” said senior Justine Spinelli.