Embedded Files
St. Joseph High School's Official Student-Produced Newspaper
Publish date: June 5, 2023
Editor & Graphic Design: Nick Sarno-Brown, '24
Editorial Staff: Knij'e Middlebrook, '25 & Sophia Doyle, '25
Advisor: Mrs. Schratz
SUMMER 2023
29 new SJHS alumni celebrate with a cap toss after receiving diplomas.
Photo credit: Anne Schratz
Another school year completed; graduation is here for seniors
By Nick Sarno-Brown, '24
On June 2 at 7pm the 107th graduating class of St. Joseph High School received their diplomas in the Walter Dlubak Athletic Center. Baccalaureate mass preceded the distribution of diplomas with Fr. John Lendvai as the main celebrant, and Fr. John Moineau, Class of '79 as the homilist. Fr. Andrew Fischer and Fr. John Brennan also concelebrated the graduation mass, with Deacon Pat Wood assisting.
Two graduates addressed the Class of 2023 and those in attendance. Salutatorian, Ethan Zale focused on the importance of persistence.
"I learned that sometimes you have to stick with things, and they will work out," Zale said. "Good things take time, and you just need to be patient."
Valedictorian, Gabriella Mason, reflected on what St. Joe's meant to her and how quickly her high school career flew by. She spoke of the importance of cherishing the time that we are given in any endeavor.
Mason implored, "Appreciate the moment and the people around you rather than thinking about how much longer we have until something is over."
Since the start of kindergarten, every student looks forward to high school graduation. This momentous occasion is more than just a day at St. Joe’s. Before graduation, the underclassmen plan their own special day with seniors.
With commencement now being held in the gymnasium, underclassmen were able to attend graduation along with the families of our graduates.
Mason used 5 minutes as a time frame to illustrate how quickly time passes and how precious it is.
"I'd give anything to have 5 more minutes to walk the halls with my friends, or laugh at whatever was happening at the lunch table," she said. "Take that 5 minutes in whatever you do in your future and hold on to it and enjoy it. We all know that 5 minutes can make a difference."
Sunrise on the Jersey Shore.
Photo Credit: Anne Schratz
2022 bus ride to mission trip in Cumberland, Maryland. This summer sutdents are headed to Richmond, Virginia.
Photo credit: Kevin Barry
Teachers set their sights on summer activities
By Katie White, ‘23
Over the summer, the staff of Saint Joseph take a break from rigorous work and enjoy time away from school.
Kevin Barry is beginning a new chapter in his life. He is getting married, and moving to Akron, Ohio in July. He will also start a new job at Gilmour Academy.
Michael Pater is attending a mission trip to Richmond, Virginia. He will spend a weekend with friends in Deep Creek, Maryland. He will also go on a trip to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina to spend time with family. In addition, he hopes to play ultimate frisbee, and go hiking and kayaking.
Anthony Vincent is planning to travel to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and Nashville, Tennessee with his wife and participate in relaxing activities.
Kathleen Morrone is excited to take a break from work to be a mom and go on a hiking trip with her friends.
Anne Schratz is starting off her summer by going to the Jersey Shore. She also plans to go to Chicago to see her daughter and later go to Saint Louis to see her son. She hopes to read more and play with her grandchildren, too.
Top, Bryan Zwack with a group of Spanish Club students.
Luke McDermott shares a moment with juniors in the classroom.
Photo credits: Nick Sarno-Brown, '24
Three teachers will not return to SJHS in the fall
By Nick Sarno-Brown, '24
Science and physics teacher Kevin Barry, Spanish and phys. ed. teacher Bryan Zwack, and substitute English teacher Luke McDermott will not be a part of the faculty for the 2023-2024 school year.
After six years as a teacher at SJHS, Barry will always remember the people of St. Joe’s.
“I am going to have so many memories of SJHS and too many of them to share with this answer. However, I will definitely remember the kindness and overall caring attitude of the students, faculty, administration, and staff,” said Barry.
Barry is leaving behind his second home. He always enjoyed seeing the students each day.
“I felt at home each day and at peace with my job here. I was truly accepted as a family member of the St. Joe's community and I will never forget that. Each day the students were excited to greet their teachers in the hall, joke back and forth with them, and offer a kind word or too to cheer someone up,” Barry shared.
Barry is going to miss how the students show up and support each other.
“While we are a small school, we have been mighty in spirit. By attending sporting events, our St. Joseph students proudly supported their teams and energized the area. Our students always made me proud of the school and honored to have been a teacher here,” he said.
His leaving is for an exciting, life-changing reason. In July, Barry will be getting married, moving to Ohio and continuing his teaching career at a new school.
“I am most definitely excited for my next adventure, however, it is bittersweet. There are a lot of amazing things happening in my life and I am very excited to begin and share these things with my fiancé Jaclyn,” Barry said.
Barry will never forget the engaging and supportive community that is the spirit of Saint Joseph High School.
“While the excitement is there, I know that I will be leaving a lot behind. One of those things is St. Joe's. I will truly miss this school and all the people that make it up. I am so thankful to God that He gave me the time here. I have grown so much by working here and meeting amazing people. St. Joseph High School has given me fond memories that I will take with me and unite in my new joys,” Barry promised.
After two years as a teacher here, Zwack will miss the students most at SJHS.
“My best memory about SJHS is the students' commitment to grow, not only in their Catholic faith, but also as a human person. Their laughter in the classroom, the moments that made me feel appreciated and some of the life values that I passed to them. I will remember those kids that made me laugh and who enjoyed my teaching style.”
For Zwack’s next adventure, he may, or may not continue to work in Catholic schools.
“My next adventure is not an adventure at all, it will be another mission from God. Maybe I will work in the Catholic schools again, or I'll move on to something less rewarding. However, my love, passion, and style will never buckle.”
Over the past two school years (2021-2022 and 2022-2023) McDermott has been filling in as the substitute English teacher. Last year, he arrived in the second half of the year for sophomores through seniors. This year, for the second half of the year, he filled in only teaching juniors and seniors.
McDermott was excited to come back and work with the students.
“Of course I was excited to come back to St. Joe's! This school has a special group of students, and I was most excited to come back and work with you all. You are all eager to learn, but also silly, and make the learning process fun,” he said.
McDermott will remember the special activities he did competing against the students. He loved interacting with students to get to know them better.
“I will remember activities like lawn games and knockerball against some of the students. But I will most remember the students themselves. After interacting with you all over the course of two years, I've gotten to know your personalities and watch you grow into the wonderful people you all are. For that I am grateful, and I will miss you all and think of you often!”
Kevin Barry and Jaclyn Snyder were filled with joy together on their engagement day.
Photo Credit: Kevin Barry
Kevin Barry prepares for a new chapter in his life
By Knij’e Middlebrook '25
In July, Kevin Barry will marry his fiancé Jaclyn Snyder in Barberton, Ohio.
Barry and Snyder's relationship kindled when the two met on Catholicmatch.com. They have known each other for about two years now.
“She is a Director of Religious Education and Youth Minister for a parish in Ohio, and we met on CatholicMatch,” explained Barry.
All couples come to the realization of whether or not they are soulmates.
“I realized she was the one after our third or fourth date. As I was driving home, I realized that we really connected, shared a lot in common, and had similar senses of humor,” expressed Barry.
Proposing is something sacred that needs a certain amount of thought for it to be special. During December of 2022 Barry decided to pop the question.
“We went out to eat, prayed a Holy Hour at the Oratory in Oakland, and then I took her to see the Christmas lights in downtown Pittsburgh. To start, I took her up to Mt. Washington to overlook the city. We then walked down to St. Mary's on the Mount and I proposed in front of the church,” recalled Barry.
Starting a new life with a person can cause anyone to have a rollercoaster of emotions.
“I am definitely more excited than nervous! In fact, I am not very nervous about the wedding, but more nervous about the move, change in jobs, and buying a house. We have been asking God to guide our efforts so it will work out,” said Barry.
Barry is following a new path and he will sadly have to resign from Saint Joe's.
“I am going to really miss St. Joseph High School and you all will hold a special place in my heart,” replied Barry.
No matter what, we will never forget our kind, faithful and caring teacher. Of course we will miss him in our classrooms, but we are thrilled that he’s pursuing his happiness with Snyder.
“The only thing that I would like to say is to ask everyone to discern their vocation. God has a calling for each one of us and our role in the Kingdom is equally important. Pray! Pray! Pray! God will guide you to the mission and vocation he is calling you too,” concluded Barry.
Michael and Ashleigh Konopski at their graduation in 2002.
Photo Credit: Richard Konopski '26
Richelle Jonnet Class of 1996 with her daughter Taylor Hunkele Class of 2023.
Photo Credit: Taylor Hunkele '23
Generations of Spartans
By Julie Wilson '23
The legacies of Saint Joseph High School date back to its beginning in 1915. Some students today are not the first generation of their family to attend the school, with either having one parent attend, or having both.
Maggie Bernat is a junior and both of her parents attended and met at Saint Joe's.
Bernat said, "They met at Saint Joe's and dated throughout high school." Bernat always assumed she would attend school here.
Just like Bernat, Amelia Wygonik' 24 had both of her parents meet here and two of her older siblings attending later on. When she was younger her parents spoke about their experiences.
"They would talk about the teachers they had or the differences between when they were here, and what it is like now," said Wygonik.
Freshman Richard Konopski also spoke about his parents time at Saint Joseph.
"Both of them were transfer students, and they really enjoyed their time spent as students," he said.
He also had an older brother attend, Michael Konopski, who graduated in 2021.
He discussed further saying, "My parents and my brother always had good things to say about Saint Joe's and the amazing opportunities that were available to them."
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