By Meredith Zendarski '25

From textbooks to TikTok, today's students navigate many topics that can mold their high school experience into a stress-inducing nightmare, especially seniors. While the senior class seems to have it all figured out, they have just grazed the tip of the post-graduation iceberg. The heavy course loads and demanding deadlines often leave seniors feeling overwhelmed. 

Whether it be a homework assignment, or a scholarship application, this stress has a big toll on seniors, and makes them feel quite burnt-out at this point of the year. 

College applications, academics, extracurriculars, time management, uncertainty about the future, financial concerns, and social pressures can be just some of the stressors among high school seniors. 

At the beginning of March, the senior class was surveyed on how they’re handling stress as they quickly approach the homestretch of their high school career. 

When prompted to share their comfortability with time management between family activities, academics, jobs, sports, and social lives, 58.6% of seniors said they manage their time perfectly. While 34.5% of seniors could use some help, and 6.8% of seniors said they struggle with balancing everything. 

When the senior class was asked about their certainty in post-high school commitment decisions 96.5% of seniors said they were completely certain, while only 3.4% of seniors were still deciding. 

When questioned about how comfortable seniors are with balancing academics and extracurriculars, 62% of seniors feel extremely comfortable, 34.5% seniors said they feel pretty comfortable, and 3.4% of seniors are still working on balancing academics and extracurriculars. 

In reply to how prepared the seniors are for higher education, 86.2% of seniors said they feel extremely prepared, 10.3% of seniors feel somewhat prepared, and only 3.4% of seniors feel under-prepared. 

Upon being asked about their motivation at this point in the year, 79.4% seniors said they have next to no motivation, and 20.5% seniors are still pushing through the year. 

When asked about their financial stress with scholarships and financial aid, 44.8% of seniors are still working through their concerns., 30.9% of seniors said they are not worried about finances, and 24.4% of seniors are still figuring everything out. 

The split for being ready to move from high school is pretty even: 51.7% of seniors said they could still use some more time with their friends, while 48.2% of seniors said they are more than ready to move on. 

When asked about certainty for their future, 86.2% of seniors say that they are certain that they will be attending college, 6.9% seniors remain undecided, 3.4% of seniors will be going into the military, and 3.4% of seniors will be attending nursing school. 

**99.9% response rate

By Kayla Black '26

Drug testing is a new addition this year in SJHS. 

Starting soon, random individuals will be chosen to be tested, which includes a visit to a local testing facility with a parent or guardian to cut a strand of their hair. The hair is used as a piece of DNA, looking for any signs of drug use in the students. Hair tests detect longer-term usage but it tends to be less common.

A rise in drug issues have occurred worldwide, and the diocese is hoping to prevent it, as they attempt to protect students, as drug use is a concern for teens. 

According to American Addiction Centers, approximately 16.7% (48.5 million) of Americans, who are aged 12 and older, have experienced a substance use disorder, in 2023. 

Schools begin to implement drug testing, primarily to deter substance use, and to promote a drug-free environment for children. Students who test positive for drug use here in the diocese will be required to seek out rehab and education for drug use.  The tests are not designed to be punitive.

Opioids, cocaine, and other harsh drugs are fatal to all individuals. Drugs that are taken can be laced with Fentanyl, which can kill a person within minutes. 

By Sophia Ranalli  '28 

The Science Research Team has taken a trip to Slippery Rock University to compete for the regional section of PJAS. The first place winners are Allie Meier '25, Louisa Palumbo '27, Marissa Heath '28, Chase Porter '28, and Isabella Graff '26. These 5 winners are now heading to Penn State to compete at States. 

By Chloe Damico '27

According to AAA Foundation for Traffic and Safety, around 20% of teenage drivers get pulled over within their first year of driving. 

Statically, 1 in 5 teens get pulled over due to being unable to avoid distractions, obey speed limits, or follow traffic laws. 

If you get pulled over, the most important thing is to stay calm, but with that, there are seven important things to remember.

AAA Foundation recommends the following:

Number 1: Pull over safely, and if it is dark , try to go to a well-lit area if possible. 

Number 2: Stay calm and be polite. Roll down your window and keep your hands on the steering wheel. 

Number 3: Wait for instructions, avoid reaching for anything until asked to do so. 

Number 4: Be honest and go step by step. Don't rush to do anything.

Number 5:  Answer questions briefly.  If the officer is asking you questions answer them honestly, but be brief. 

Number 6: Stay in the car unless you are asked to step out of the vehicle. 

Finally, know your rights.  And if you know your rights and chose to exercise something, do so respectfully.  

By Brayden Ehrman '27

Picking a college is a huge step in a student’s life. It affects not just school and career choices, but also personal growth and future friendships.

“I haven't decided on a major yet, but I want to study either business or engineering at Bob Jones University,” said Ben Bartolovic '25.

Going to college marks the start of a new chapter for a student's life filled with opportunities, relationships, challenges, and personal growth.

Committing to a school is more than just selecting a campus; it's a decision that shapes your education, future career, and personal development.

Meredith Zendarski '25 said, “I found the program I wanted at Point Park University and committed right away.”  

Seniors in high school have a massive decision process to go through when committing to a college. Once they find the major for them and the campus they love they need support, such as teachers for letters of recommendation or financial and emotional support from family and friends.

Riley Wilbert '25 said, “My commitment process was supported by my parents through all my decisions, and I felt that WVU was the right place for me. I had to factor in my scholarships too.”

Saint Joseph provides college in high school courses which give students the opportunity to earn college credits for select schools which can help the student's thought process when committing.  It can also help financially. 

This opportunity gives students a reliable way to pick the major that they feel fits them best and to fuel their ambitions for future career paths. 

“I liked the campus at RMU, and they offered me a full ride scholarship which is why I landed with RMU,” said William Boosel ‘25.

By Sophia Ranalli '28

The Cinderella crew is expanding, and there are two new members: Ava Humphrey ‘28 and the 3-D printer. Ava has been working really hard to make this year's musical look absolutely perfect. 

As the prop manager, it's her job to decide what probs should be used, and who should use them. She also helps either find or make the props, involving the 3-D printer. It's very exciting to see the 3-D printer being used, Although it takes time, it helps the props be way more authentic looking. 

There are a lot of emotions to have for being able to use the printer, because of how exciting it could be, yet also the fear of it being so fragile. 

“I was excited to be asked because I’ve seen 3-D printers and always thought that they were cool;” said Humphrey ‘28.

Being the prop manager is a major responsibility. The offer of being a prop manager can take anyone by surprise only because they know how big of a deal it really is, especially important props like for this musical, such as the pumpkin and the glass slipper. Without a prop manager they would be low quality, distracting from the overall feel of the production. 

“I had already said that I wanted to work on props, but I wasn’t expecting to be the prop manager. But I agreed, because it seemed like fun,” Humphrey said. 

As the manager of the props, there are a lot of goals that need to be met before the first show. All the props have to be acquired or made, and ready before the curtain goes up opening night, and with so little time now, there are still many goals for the prop manager that she needs to have done. It can get stressful, but also be exciting playing such an important part in the production of the show. 

“My goals are to have nice looking and relatively authentic looking props, and for nothing to look out of place,” said Humphrey ‘28. 

A lot of pressure can be on the prop manager and whoever is working for the musical, because every person has their own job that needs to be accomplished. So, for Ava being the only person who's in charge of props there are a lot of different feelings that can arise, the closer the musical approaches. While It can be really relaxing being the only person in charge of props because there's no one that you can disagree with, and you only have yourself to make your own decisions and how you want to design the props. 

“It’s a lot being the only one, but not too bad. However, I do wish I had someone to consult about this stuff, so what I usually do is ask the cast members about what they want their props to look like, but it’s pretty lonely,” said Humphrey ‘28. 

Everyone is super excited to see what the show will look like, and it's up to everyone who's a part of the show to meet their expectations the best that they can. But it’s also important to make everything look nice and be an enjoyable experience for everyone, even the people who won’t be seen on stage. Seeing your own props that you made, and your ideas on a big stage, being held by main roles can be exhilarating for whoever made it. The prop manager is an important part of the musical, and the cast is very thankful that Ava is here and a part of the crew now. 

By Chloe Damico '27

As a final English project, the seniors and sophomores are writing their own books. Students have the opportunity to create their own book on whatever topic they choose.

English teacher Matt DeHart said, “The final product is the most important, not the grade or word count.” 

Students started this project mid-January and will finish in May. This gives the opportunity to grasp what it takes to be an author and create their own writing without the pressure of having to comprehend the writing teachers are given to read. 

“Put it on the paper, don't sit and stare. One of the biggest things is that students enjoy the writing process,” said DeHart.

Some are writing about themselves and their experiences throughout their life, or they make up a story and write fiction. 

DeHart believes that the product is the most important, not the grade or word count.  This gives students freedom to take control of their own writing process. 

“The goal is to give you guys something to have and to hold and be able to have this for the rest of your lives,”  DeHart said.