By Emma Blackburn  '25

The underclassmen rallied against the senior class in the annual Turkey Bowl held in the gym the day before Thanksgiving break. 

Two juniors shared their thoughts on bringing back flag football for the annual Turkey Bowl.

Kni’je Middlebrook '25 said, "The best thing about the Turkey Bowl was that I got to connect with the underclassmen in a competitive aspect.”

In recent years, the turkey bowl was played as a dodgeball tournament.  There was a lot of energy and chatter about returning to the underclassmen going up against the seniors in a flag football game.

Luca Schiano Di Cola '25 said, "When my brothers went to school here, they always told me their stories and memories from it, and I was bummed I could never experience it."  He continued, "But we brought it back! We kept the Saint Joe`s tradition alive." 

The students enjoyed an afternoon of making memories with each other before leaving for a relaxing Thanksgiving break. The game was officiated by a few of the faculty.

Schiano Di Cola said, "It brought me so much joy playing, as well as seeing everyone having a good time."

The air turned cold on January 13, and it was finally the night of the long anticipated winter semi-formal at River Forest Country Club. 

The atmosphere felt festive with Christmas trees, garland and sparkly poinsettias surrounding the room.  But students were a little anxious about how the dance would be this time around. 

“I think that this year's semi was more fun than last year's. Last year I felt like I was just standing around more, but this year I was dancing and having more fun. I’m really glad that the lights were mostly off, and I thought the music was good,”  said sophomore Ava Roxberry. 

Principal Kimberly Minick and President Jennifer MacNeil were in charge of planning the dance. 

The menu consisted of burgers, chicken, macaroni and cheese, and vegetables, along with an elaborate cookie table that included cheesecake. 

Roxberry said, “I had the chicken, and it was pretty good. I also really liked the cookies.”

Students got up to dance as soon as the lights went down with music provided by DJ K. 

“I had a lot of fun spending time with my friends and dancing,” said Chloe Damico ‘27.

Musical auditions for Tarzan happened in the JPII center on December 5 and 7, with call backs on December 10. The drama department will perform Disney's Tarzan from April 25-28.

Mandi Porter, George Pecoraro, and Kathleen Grabigel were all sitting in on the auditions. 

The whole school became involved with the nail-biting reveal of the musical production with a bulletin board that had multiple musicals slowly taken off of it, finally revealing the show.

There were a total of about 30 students who tried out for the musical in December. There were 11 main roles that needed to be filled. 

“Callbacks were very different from ones that I have been to prior. It made me a little nervous because I was trying out for all the parts and not just one specific one,” said Sydney McKinzie ‘27.

Something that shocked many students was that freshman Sean Wolfe was cast as the lead, Tarzan. 

“It caught me by surprise,” Wolfe said.  “Everybody has been really friendly. It's going to be a fun experience!”

For the production, senior Bailey Linza was selected to be the lead choreographer. She has 14 years of experience in the dance industry, and she has been in musicals prior. 

Linza said, “Dance has always been a huge part of my life and a creative outlet. It is like creating a picture with watercolor paints because you always have an initial thought, but then the art and dance turn out so much better.”  

Linza will be accompanied by senior Amelia Wygonik, who will play the role of Jane. Wygonik started to dive into theater her sophomore year. She has been dancing for 13 years and also plays basketball. 

“I really enjoyed being in the musical last year and I am excited this year to have a bigger cast. I think it will be a really fun show to perform and be in,” said Wygonik. 

By Sydney McKinzie  '27

New Year's Day is a new beginning for many people as we look back at the past year and reflect on our achievements and failures.  

On New Year's Eve many people wash their hands of the past year and start January 1 with a new outlook.  This is the time to set goals or resolutions of what we want to accomplish in the new year.

Resolutions are something I believe everyone should strive to make.  Most resolutions are around self- improvement.  For example, many people say every year that they are going to eat healthier or they are going to exercise more, or study more. Other resolutions can also come in the form of  improving in sports, or to improve relationships. The important thing is to set the goals.  These goals will provide you with optimism, hope, inspiration, motivation and accountability to be a better person in the new year.  Imagine how you will feel when you achieve your goal, and how satisfying it is to think of how much you’ve grown in one year.

The New Year's holiday for some people is simply the first day of the year. For many it's a time to reflect and change.  Whatever way you think of it, I think everyone should celebrate. Have your pork and sauerkraut, black-eyed peas, or whatever food you believe will provide you good luck for the year.  Leave all the negativity behind, and go into the new year feeling like your best self.

By Chloe Damico '27

Helping people can mean different things and come in different ways whether it's in a group or by yourself. Helping people is such a rewarding thing to experience.

Donating food and water, helping at a nursing home, or even just spreading kindness can mean so much to someone.  A lot of benefits come with helping in your community, such as gaining another perspective on life, building meaningful relationships with others, or finding a sense of support among so many other things. 

Outreach Club impacts our community. By joining their efforts in the club, more people can be served. 

“Helping people means supporting them through tough times. I love to help people whenever I get the chance, and in outreach we do a lot of that, so I get to do what I love,” said Emma Blackburn ‘25.

Outreach is a club that helps our community while getting our schools name out. Outreach is made of 10 seniors, 10 juniors, 1 sophomore, and 2 freshmen.

Jillian Bloch ‘27 said, “To me, outreach means coming together as a school and helping the community.”

So far this year, Outreach coordinated a Thanksgiving Food Drive, a Toys for Tots collection, and will be sending valentines to local nursing homes. Future projects include visiting the elderly and serving at Knead Cafe in New Kensington.

Blackburn said, “I do believe that we are making a difference, even if it's small. It is still helping people in our community, and that’s what matters.”