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Seniors ‘09: They’re finally letting us out!

photos by Allison Inglebrightdesigned by Jake ‘fish’ Schueller

Editor-in-ChiefJake SchuellerAssistant Editors

Katie WeilerNate Feldmann

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News WritersJason Milke

Breana BarakAmanda McWhinney

Haley FauconniereOpinion WritersDerek WollnerBrody WhiteRyan Brown

Kat MettenburgFringe WriterMegan Rion

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Stoplight enforcement cameras to be installed in Cedar Rapids may generate an estimated $750,000 annually. According to Chief Greg Graham, his main concern is safety.

The cameras are expected to be running by July 1, 2009. They will be placed at the ten most dangerous intersections in Cedar Rapids, including First Avenue East at Collins Road NE, and Williams Boulevard at 16th Avenue SW.

Another camera for speed enforcement is planned for Interstate 380 near the 5-in-1 Bridge by St. Luke’s Hospital.

Cedar Rapids will become the fourth city in Iowa to install the stoplight cameras, joining Council Bluffs, Davenport and Clive.

The proposals from camera companies are due by mid-May, and the company chosen by the city will own, install, and maintain the cameras. The lone expense to the taxpayer will be for the time an officer spends reviewing the incidents to determine if a ticket should be issued.

The cameras will operate within minutes of a violation. A twelve second video clip and two photographs appear at the company’s headquarters. Three people review the video and photos and the license plates are checked to make sure they match the vehicle. If a possible violation is confirmed, an email is sent to the law enforcement agency so an officer can review the same photos and video. If the officer concurs a violation has taken place, the camera company sends out the citation with the pictures and a website link where the video can be shown to the person involved in the incident.

However, some claim the traffic camera system is not always fair. If someone is driving a car other than their own and is given a citation, a ticket will go to the owner of the vehicle.

Unlike a regular traffic citations, these will not appear on your driving record since they are considered a civil violation, not criminal.

With these cameras, the hope for all Cedar Rapids citizens is that the cameras will eliminate danger and bring safety to the roads again.

Haley FauconniereNews Writer

Stop, look, and listen

Religious vocations displayLast spring, an idea started

to circle between a small group of administrators at Xavier High School for a religious vocations display that would exhibit individuals associated with the Xavier community who have begun to pursue religious vocations.

“As you go around Xavier, you see All-state athletes with pictures outside the gym, fine arts performers with pictures outside the theatre. I thought something was missing when we didn’t honor people with religious vocations in the school,” Xavier teacher Mike Goldsmith said.

Goldsmith began working on this project with the goal that the vocations display would honor people who have chosen the religious path, to say thank you to them, and to pray for them, as many have not yet become priests or nuns. The purpose of the display is also to “consider where God is calling you,” Goldsmith said.

The board is mounted on the wall right outside of the campus ministry office. It currently displays Sr. Louise Marie Zogg (Xavier 2005), Aaron Junge (Xavier 2008) and Mark Murphy (Regis 1998). In the future, Goldsmith predicts several others that will be honored in the display, and hopes to see the display overflow during his time teaching at Xavier.

The religous vocations display was made possible in large part to Donna and Phil Garland of Nesper Signs, Lorrie Erusha, Shea Francis, Mrs. Stephanie Wendt, Jessica Esch of the Foundations Office, and the Xavier Administration.

Goldsmith hopes the display will call out to Xavier students to consider a religious calling by saying “Look, there are real people who went to this school and other Catholic high schools who are pursuing religious vocations, and you ought to stop and think--This could be me.”

Snow days may no longer be added to the end of year. For next year, the Xavier administration has decided to add days into the school year to account for any snow days.

This is different from other years since the seniors usually have a set graduation date and any snow days are added on to the end of the school year, so the seniors do not have to make up those days.

The reason for this new way of schedule is because it will allow teachers and other staff members to know for certain

Built-in snow dayswhen the school year will end.

For the 2009-2010 school year, there will be three built in snow days spread throughout the second semester. This will not have an affect on the day of graduation. If those three days are not used, those will be just like a regular day off of school. The Dean of Students at Xavier, Mr. Gylnn, supports this idea by saying “It is a good idea and it could potentially include a built-in break from school.”

Cedar Rapids Police plan to catch traffic violators without actually having to be at the scene of the offense

Congratulations winners of the Xcellence in Teaching Awards

Breana BarakNews Writer

Jason MilkeNews Writer

XPX presents the “Xita” Xcellence in Teaching

Award to:Mr. Mike Goldsmith

Xavier Administration presents St. Frances

Xavier Award to:Mr. Gaylord Hauschildt

Booster Club presents the “Xtra” Leadership

Award to:Mr. Tom Lilly

scrimmaged against South Korea and Kentucky. They competed in four trials on Friday and Saturday. In their free time, they visited the Georgia Aquarium, which is the world’s largest aquarium, and the World of Coke. The event concluded with a banquet and a formal dance held for the mock trial participants

“It was a great experience to meet people from all over the world and to see the different ways people practice law,” Airy said. “While it was sad to miss our prom, we definately made up for it with dresses and corsages at the banquet on Saturday night.” The team competed in the Friday and Saturday rounds against Nebraska, Washington, Florida, and Ohio. They ranked 24th in the nation.

The team hopes to do just as well next year when nationals are held in Philadelphia.

The 2009 Robins Mock Trial team represented Iowa in the N a t i o n a l High School Mock Trial Competition in Atlanta, G e o r g i a on May 6-10, 2009.

The team is composed of seniors Ashton Mitchell and Katie Zogg, juniors Melissa Airy, Breana Barak, Paul Esker, Spencer Hughes, Sydney McCoy, and Ame Schultz, and freshman Ann Glavan.

The team began practicing twice a week in January for their regional competition on March 7, 2009. From there, they moved on to the state competition which took place on March 25-27, 2009 in Des Moines, Iowa. The team placed first overall and Spencer Hughes collected a medal for an Outstanding Attorney Award.

After having a very successful finish at state, the team then moved on to the National Competition in Atlanta. They learned an entirely new case in a little over a month.

Nationals consisted of high school students from 42 U.S. states, territories, and South Korea who competed in this four day event.

On Thursday, the Robins team

May 21st, 2009 3Catholics split about Obama at Notre Dame

United States President Barack Obama spoke at the May 17, 2009 commencement ceremony for the University of Notre Dame. He had been set to speak ever since the beginning of March 2009. Since then, over 360,000 people signed an online petition in protest.

Many members of the Catholic community feel that Obama has shown a lack of sensitivity for human life by his encouragement to practice stem cell research and legalize abortion. While they still feel he has many other qualities that led them to vote in his favor in the 2008 elections, many are opposed to the idea that he be honored by a Catholic community who is outwardly against such practices.

“Notre Dame has chosen prestige over principles, popularity over morality,” the online petition at www.notredamescandal.com reads “It is an outrage and a scandal that one of the premier Catholic universities in the United States would bestow such an honor on President Obama given his clear support for policies and laws that directly contradict fundamental Catholic teachings on life and marriage.”

The petition goes on to explain that the honor that Notre Dame gave Obama is in clear violation of the U.S. bishops’ 2004 mandate, which states that “The Catholic community and Catholic institutions should not honor those who act in defiance of our fundamental principles. They should not be given awards, honors or platforms which would suggest support for their actions.”

Mary Ann Glendon, Former U.S. Ambassador to the Vatican, denied the honor of receiving the Leatare Medal at Notre Dame’s commencement ceremony this year. The award is the oldest and most prestigious honor given to American Catholics. Glendon reported to The Washington Times that she was “rejecting the metal because of Mr. Obama’s pro-choice actions as president and because the university cited her presence as justifying the Obama invitation.”

After Glendon’s declination, the university intended to award another deserving recipient, but upon reflection, decided to invite former medal recipient Judge John T. Noonan Jr. to “deliver an address in the spirit of the award.” This is the first time in 120 years that the award was not given out.

ND Response, a group on the Notre Dame campus that outwardly protested Obama’s address, held a prayer vigil during the commencement. Nineteen demonstrators were arrested on Saturday during the 200-person protest at the university’s gate, and at least another five were arrested on Sunday.

However, Notre Dame’s 2009 graduates recognized at the commencement ceremony showed concern for the protests from the Catholic community. Several students spoke out that the ceremony was supposed to be a joyous one, not the time for a boycott. According to the New York Times, around 2,900 graduating students planned to boycott the ceremony, but ultimately wanted to hear Obama speak, so they rejected the protests.

White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said Obama, however, was excited to address the students. While there was one group organizing a boycott against him, there were twenty-three other groups formed in support of his speaking at the university.

Obama did in fact address the controversal issue of abortion during his speech on Sunday. Obama told the New York Times that he was not suggesting the debate would go away, but rather that the two views are “irreconcilable [as] each side will continue to make its case to the public with passion and conviction.”

Robins Mock Trial represents Iowa at the 2009 Nationals Competition

Breana BarakNews Writer

The 2009 Robins Mock Trial team at nationals in Atlanta, GA. Photo courtesy of Marcia Hughes.

Amanda McWhinneyNews Writer

Catholics took a stand about abortion when Obama addressed the Catholic community

the greatest e x a m p l e of what a C a t h o l i c should act like. Not p r a y i n g and skip-ping Mass on Sunday. But yet when I looked around that circle of people, I realized having faith is such a gift. We didn’t care if people stared at us or whispered. We were not ashamed of our faith.

College will test our faith, there is no doubt in my mind that it will happen. Xavier High School is a place where we can feel com-fortable with our faith and grow spiritually. We are so lucky to have this opportunity. Now that my time here is coming to an end, I see that. But when college comes and the bubble of Xavier pops, Seniors I ask you…will you keep the faith?

Xavier High SchoolSeniors 094

Saintly

Satanly

- Foam soap dispensers

- Summer!

- Kids Against Hunger

- Graduation Parties

- Graduation

- Seniors ‘09 leaving

- Lots of rain

- End of the year cramming

- Honors Ceremony

- Senior finals

- Last Saintly/Satanly of the year

Celebrate personal victories

So as I stay true and write this story last minute, I try to reflect on what Xavier “means to me” and such. It’s been a roller coaster to be honest, who hasn’t had the times you were ready to ditch for anywhere else and the times you were the proudest Saint ever?

Even though I haven’t grown since middle school I can honestly say high school has been a time of changing and “growth”, as a person in the whole deep way of growing that has more meaning and stuff. I played a varsity sport, did the choir and arts thing, and worked with campus ministry. I got pretty involved because I was told to.

Let me tell you it’s a lie, everyone will push you to get involved in what they do don’t buy it. Do what you want, don’t just do something because someone said you should.

Now I don’t mean to sounds bitter or cynical, even though generally I am, but being over involved was a big mistake in high school.

Teachers tell you to challenge yourself in classes and coaches tell you to push yourself, it’s a sham. Not every thing’s a big deal and if you treat everything like it is you’ll be dead before you’re out of here. Having fun should be the top of the list, it doesn’t matter how good you are at something if you don’t enjoy it.

A big part of enjoying yourself is not always sticking to what’s comfortable, take a big step and do what you want even if it’s new. Maybe you’re not the best at it right away either but half the fun is seeing your progress. Even if there isn’t much progress as long as your enjoying it it’s better than doing something you hate just because your good.

The general message incase you didn’t catch it was , don’t waste your time doing anything

Khaki pants withdrawal syndrome

Brody’s last words: Do it your wayyou don’t enjoy or get a real satisfaction out of because you think you’re supposed to. Work hard, have fun, and love life. To work in a corny saying, it doesn’t matter if you’re the best as long as

you’re your b e s t .

It’s been quick. It’s been a learning process. But most of all, it’s been extremely fun. My high school experience has been awesome, and while I am ready to move on, I will always have some

amazing memories from the past four years. I would quickly like to thank all those in the class of ’09 that made me, deep down, want to go to school for the past 720 days that we were required to be here. Some may think that we had a little too much fun, but what’s life if you don’t enjoy it?

This article has been something I dreaded to write. I was at a loss for words…yeah I know, weird. But this past Friday, I finally found what I wanted to write about, so here it goes.

Be happy with yourself. Work hard at what you do, but at the end of the day, if you gave everything you had, be happy with yourself. You don’t always succeed and reach your goals. I have had trouble realizing this throughout high school, and it led to disappointment. Unless my team won State, I got an A on the test, or my group

won the review game in Mr. Schaub’s class, it wasn’t good enough. Luckily, and thanks to many hardworking teachers, coaches, teammates, and classmates, it wasn’t too often that we didn’t win. For me though, it was always the winning that made me feel good, and I know it always will, but something I have learned is to have personal victories. I learned that there are times when I’m not going to be the best when compared to my competitors, even though I worked as hard as I possibly could and gave everything I had. These are the times to remember that maybe it’s not the accomplishment or the winning that matters so much, but the work put in to get that opportunity. What I mean by all this is just being happy with yourself for doing everything

you could. Trophies are great, but sometimes the pride that comes from hard work can be just as gratifying.

I would like to finish by thanking a few people at Xavier. First, Coach Kauder, Coach Camacho, and Coach St. Andrews, because you guys have taught me things far beyond how to pump my arms and hit my splits.

Secondly, all my teachers; I have great respect for all of you just because of the sacrifice you make to teach at a Catholic school. You are why Xavier is the best school around. Thirdly, all my Cross Country

and Track teammates; I can’t begin to explain how amazing it’s

been. Finally, I would like to give a little love to my

family and friends…your support has

been immense. Always a

Saint at heart,

I have attended Catholic schools ever since I was five years old. In doing so, a large percentage of my life has been spent in dress code. Khaki pants have become a natural part of my life. Wake up, brush teeth, put on khakis. It’s voluntary at this point. Unfortunately, I

have come to the realization that I will no lon-ger be required to wear khakis. No more demer-its, no calling mom if I put on the wrong pants, no special jeans days anymore…total freedom.

What am I going to do? I know I have to give up wearing khakis everyday, but will I be able to function? When it’s a jeans day at Xavier you can feel it in the air. Rebellion. Freedom. Recklessness. Is that what college is like? Oh I’m sure it is. But it’s what you do with the free-dom that makes you who you are.

As seniors, we are faced with deci-sions that are bigger than whether or not we have a dress code. Will we skip class just because we can? Will we party instead

of studying for a test? Will we take time to talk to our families? But more importantly, will we go to church? A lot of us go to church because our families make us. Others rarely attend church at all. When we head off to our perspective colleges in a few months, will we make the effort to seek out the nearest church or push the thought aside?

Most of us have been baptized and confirmed in the Catholic Church

but can we really call ourselves Catholics when we don’t even go to church or take the initiative to pray? Last night I was at Dairy Queen with some friends as we

witnessed a bad motorcycle accident where the rider flipped over the truck that hit him. As we stood there watching, not being able to do anything for him, we realized we could do something for him. We

joined hands and said an Our Father. I will be the

first to admit I have not been

For those of you who have heard the name Danielle Fortman and thought, “Who is that?” That’s me. You may have always referred to me as Forta, Fortanasty, Monster, Fortasaurus, Sippowitz, Danschmell, Fortamon, Mama, Crazy D or the occasional Dani, but to quote my girls, the Ting Tings, “That’s not my name.”

So as the girl who’s lived the past two years as, “The Fortamonster,” I’m willing to give you some words of wisdom to ensure this doesn’t happen to you. Alright I’m clearly not that wise but after four years as a Xavier student this is what I got.

Don’t get me wrong, I have no problem with all my nicknames, but I think they’ve had a big influence on what I like to call, my joke of a life. You have to take

yourself seriously before other people will and that’s something that has taken me way too long to figure out. I’m not saying to watch your every move because I’ve had some of my best times doing things that most would deem embarrassing, but you can’t let yourself become a complete joke.

Second mistake, hey freshman, sophomore year matters. Everyone always says, “Colleges just look at your junior year grades.” That’s not true at all. School matters, work hard. Take it easy senior year, I apologize to all my current teachers, but I really can’t believe that my senior grades matter.

High school flies by and you only get four years to take advantage of all the opportunities it offers. For example, I always wanted to do a play. I’ve always thought I have this natural acting ability because my family thinks my Finding Nemo impressions are really good, but I never even tried out.

The best decision I made at Xavier was to run cross country. No, I don’t like running, not even a little bit. And no, I don’t have this natural athletic ability that would make it necessary for me to go out. I made my best friends in my class through cross country but I also had the best times with the girls older and younger then me. It’s awesome and weird and team dinners rule.

Be a superfan. No matter what Derek says, our student section w a s awesome this year and I’ll never forget it. Love Mrs. Kadlec, listen to Mrs. F l o r e s ’ words of wisdom, don’t be a dupe, especially in Coach Schulte’s class it’s j u s t embarrassing. Have group study sessions at Barnes and Noble for Pre- C a l c and AP Bio, no they’re not that productive but I promise they’re worth it.

Finally, don’t wish high school away. I made a countdown for every break and every summer, and most recently for graduation. I spent junior year in anticipation for what was to come senior year and proceeded to spend senior year waiting for college. Take the time to enjoy the halls of Xavier, now my time is officially gone. I’m ready, but I know I could have gotten more out of it.

It’s been real Xavier. I wouldn’t have gone anywhere else for anything. I truly believe that there is not another school I could go to and walk through the halls constantly singing obnoxiously and still have friends. Nowhere else would Derek’s dance moves, David’s random facts, Krista’s presidential speech on glue, or “The Docta” be considered normal but here it is and that’s what I love. Peace out Xav, I hope I never hang out in the XPL again.

May 21st, 2009 Seniors 09 5

Originally I had planned to write an article warning future students of the dangers of Danielle Fortman (aka The Forta). After thinking it through, however, I realized that there are many valuable lessons to be learned from the

creature that is Fortamonster. It seems that I spent most of the last four years laughing along with all the ridiculous things that Forta did and said, and I can’t say that I didn’t enjoy it.

This brings up the greatest lesson the Monster has to teach: never take yourself too seriously. Four years of high school is a long time, and if you can’t take a joke, you’re not going to make it. I’m not saying it’s good to live life like a complete joke, but nobody likes someone who refuse to laugh at themselves every once in a while. I don’t care if you are the star of the track team, or the smartest kid in the entire school, or the coolest girl to ever walk the Earth: you are still a human being just like the rest of us, and you are going to be laughed at just like the rest of us. You can either learn to accept this fact and laugh along with the rest of us, or you can continue believing that you are a god amongst men, and have no friends. The people who end up having the best time in high school are the ones who come to the understanding that they are not the center of the world, and it is OK to make fun of themselves every once in awhile. Life still goes on. In the end, how your time at Xavier goes all depends on the way you approach it. If you can step back and laugh at your own mistakes, no matter how embarrassing they may be, you will have a great time, and other people will enjoy being around you. If you can’t….then good luck .

So thank you, Forta. I never thought I would say it, but you have taught a valuable lesson (and no, Danielle, I’m not going to read this to you in Fortanese. It’s time for you to start using English).

Don’t forget to laugh

Well it has almost been four years since we first stepped foot in Xavier to welcome the knowledge and edification it would provide for us. I know there is no way for us to remember every little detail that we have

learned but eventually bits and pieces will surface. As for the more general, day-to-day lessons-I’ve learned that for life. These are some I will take with me from Xavier.

First, don’t always trust mascots. Sure they are great for motivating fans at sporting events. They are big, furry animals ready for a high-five but underneath those oversized padded hands could lay a stranger ready to flip a food tray in your unsuspecting face. It’s like taking a swig from a bad carton of milk. Once you’ve been tainted, you will always be wary.

Second, make sure you have fantastic stories. I learned this from the best last year. No one wants to hear something boring, so make sure you spice it up with plenty of action. Don’t worry if it’s not true because no one will notice. For example: say you are having some sort of dual and you trip and hurt yourself. Just say you attempted a double back flip but landed in the bleachers instead and some doctor from Yale wrapped your ankle with the hide of a buffalo. That sounds way more impressive.

Thirdly, if you aren’t sure what you are wearing is appropriate, stand in front of a mirror and do a double take. If you are confused as to what your clothes are, you probably should change-especially if you have to look back a third time.

Fourth, if you are going to pull a “funny joke” and pull the fire alarm at school, go all out and pull two or the one in the theatre. That way the sprinklers will go off and ruin thousands of dollars of the school’s property. So congratulations! You have just executed a hilarious joke and a felony at the same time! Be sure to let people

know though so you can get the credit. And lastly, please, by all means, do

stand in the middle of the hallways. People like feeling pushed and

squeezed. It’s not aggravating at all, so don’t be fooled by facial expressions.

But really, it’s time to be serious. Xavier was some

of the best four years of my life. I have no doubt

that it has prepared me for success after high

school as I start a new level in my life, so thank you to all the teachers who put up with us. I’ve met some

great people and have made awesome friends.

I have enjoyed my time and memories here, and I will

always have a soft spot for this place on 42nd Street.

Lessons learned for life

Peace out Xavier High

I can’t believe that we are done with high school. They were right when they said that it goes by fast. It feels weird that next year I will not be seeing

any of these crazy kids every day.I’m going to be honest, I’m

terrified for college and at the same time so excited. We all know each other so well and are comfortable with each other that it is easy to be ourselves. Xavier has been good to us these last four years.

We were supposed to be the bad class- the mess ups and trouble makers. While we have had our

Xavier High SchoolSeniors 096Days as the trouble-class long gone

I approached the difficult task of writing this article with one goal in mind: be original. I wanted to do everything in my power to not write the typical senior article with lines like “It goes by so fast” or “Xavier

has taught me so much!” I wanted to avoid giving the much expected advice to underclassman. I contemplated telling a good story or making an attempt, keyword being attempt, at being funny. However, after what seemed like hours of typing, deleting, and retyping line-after-line, the truth finally hit me. There is a reason senior articles every year are filled with those sentiments: they are true!

On the first day of freshman orientation, after listening to Mr. Goldsmith’s Neighborhood presentation (yes he wore a sweater), a group of seniors told our class that the next four years of our life would be gone in a blink of an eye. They were right. They told us that

As President, Krista Pederson, I thought that I should pass on some of the wisdom that I have acquired throughout my high school career. I wanted to inspire all of you to reach for the stars and fulfill your dreams. But, lets get real… if you want my

wisdom ask me sometime… for now, I need to address the most important issue concerning the transition from high school to college: gym class.

If you have ever been in a gym class with me, I hope you realize the intense passion I bring to every sport we play. It’s true I have complained a couple times about the fact that even athletes are required to take gym, but ever since I was a young girl, gym has been my favorite subject.

I am no doubt a very competitive person. If I haven’t challenged you to some sort of random activity- I challenge you now. I am going to miss the thrill of lacrosse, the aggressiveness of ultimate Frisbee. How will I ever experience a sport such as shuffleboard in an atmosphere like Xavier?

Gym deserves your full participation. Sure

fair share of mischief, I think that we also have some amazing people that will go on to do great things.

It seems that we have a little bit of everything in our class. We have done a lot of great things in our time at Xavier. We’ve won n u m e r o u s s t a t e championships, laughed, cried, had fun, learned our lesson, and grown closer to each other over the last four years.

We are going to save the environment one tree at a time

with the help of Green Club. We started Kids Against Hunger which

will be the end of world hunger as we know it. We fought and won the fight against cancer.

We are graced everyday with a beauty queen, the fastest kid in the state, a

BMX racer and some of the states smartest and most creative people. We laugh everyday at the

antics of David Collins, Alex Sueppel, Forta and everyone’s favorite person, Paul Seifert.

We won a number of show choir competitions and went

to National Mock Trials twice. We also discovered the power of Wi Fi. We set up camp in Cedar Rapids at Coffeesmiths, Pancheros, and Fruitzen.

We know how to have fun, how to build a Popsicle stick house, how to grieve, and how to be there for the underclassmen. I think that it is safe to say that we are no longer the bad class. We are the Xavier class of 2009, and we run this.

Krista’s farewell to Gym classesI’m playing soccer in college, and I definitely will be involved in intramural sports... but never again will I have my beloved gym class.

My mother never understood how some of my worst test scores came from gym class. Those tests were hard! I get so into the games. I play hard and run so fast that the rules and the regulations become foreign to me.

The truth is… the only award I have ever wanted more than anything is the Gym Award. If you don’t know what this award is, you have not felt the love of gym class as I have and do not deserve to be considered for this award. If I don’t receive this award I don’t want the pity “I’m sorry” or the “You really deserved it.” No. If I don’t receive this award I challenge the winner to any sport she chooses. In words of Mr. Winker; “BRING IT ON”.

Don’t wait, seek your own opportunitiesXavier would teach us more about life in and out

of the classroom than we could ever imagine. They were right. In these last four years

I have created memories that will stay with me for the rest of my life. I have

been a part of all kinds of different activities, met amazing people I now call my friends, taken three trips to the state tournament (I

love you team!), and done so many other incredible things.

So now that the sappy part is over, I will finish

up the last must have of the senior article: advice. First, avoid approaching Mr. Hanley in large groups. Group hugs may appear to be mob attacks to unsuspecting

t e a c h e r s . Appreciate your

sophomore retreat, no you are not doing earth

shattering fun and exciting things, but you are also not listening to a crazy lady talk about water and how it crystallizes when you think happy thoughts about it. Mrs. Kemp is your friend. Do not be like me and wait to enter the guidance office until your senior year. The people in there are quite helpful and may do things like hand deliver your scholarship application to the Greater Cedar Rapids Foundation because you put it off until the last minute and now it is too late to mail. I could go on and on, but frankly, there are several articles in this paper that are full of wonderful advice.

To the seniors, thank you for giving me an amazing four years. Underclassman, appreciate what you have. Before you know it high school will be a piece of your past.

May 21st, 2009 Seniors 09 7

Life is a rollercoasterWhen I volunteered

to write a senior article, one of the first thoughts that flew through my head was, don’t make it sappy, and don’t make it cliché. Unfortunately, when you actually reach this time your senior

year, and you are saying your farewells, it’s easier said then done. But this is my attempt to make this as worthwhile as possible.

High school has been a complete rollercoaster for me. There have been so many highs and lows and they were all to the extreme. Even though each year had its own drama that consumed me, and gave me hardships, I wouldn’t have it any other way. It made me the person that I am today. Ask any senior to compare how I was freshman/sophomore year, to now (especially people like Brody White, Torin Mallonee, or Allison Inglebright). I went from the girl who was sent to the principal’s office multiple times each year, to only getting demer i t s f r o m t a r d y s (sorry Mr. Goldsmith and Dr. D r e y ) .

I think that when I started high school I tried so hard to set myself apart and find my identity,

It just hit me: high school’s over. Four years of my life have disappeared and I’m wondering where they went. I’ve learned a lot

in my short amount of time here and this is my chance to spout some knowledge on you kiddies.

Talk to people outside of your comfort zone. I never would have imagined freshman year that I’d been friends with Gina Volk (she was kinda crazy), yet now I can’t imagine not being friends with her. People surprise you all the time, don’t let you’re preconceived notions of them get in the way.

Get involved in different activities. Believe it or not, I played volleyball freshman year. I never played a sport again because I hated

It is hard to describe what it feels like to be a senior so close to graduation. It is a reality that I’m not sure any of us have fully grasped. I keep trying to look back on the past four years but it seems like every year of high school mixes into the next with no definite beginning and no definite end.

Of course most people will say that graduation is the definite end, but I’m not so sure that’s true. I think that in spirit, high school will continue for us into our senior summer until it slowly starts to die out as friends and classmates begin to head their separate ways in the fall. Some seniors are going to schools where they don’t know anyone else and have to start over to build friendships. To these seniors, I wish the best of luck. Other seniors are a bit more fortunate. Here is to the seniors that will be going on to college with fellow Xavier students by their sides. Chances are a lot of the people that you are moving on with are not people that you have spent a lot of time with in your high school career. I want to take this chance to encourage all you seniors to reach out and get to know these people. Make an effort this summer to build new ties to old acquaintances. For all the underclassmen, especially the soon to be seniors, don’t wait to build these ties. Take every chance you get to build your class unity. Finally, here is to the class of 2009, stay strong, stay together, s t a y

Saints.

Take a chance before it’s too late

Stay Saints

it, but I’m glad I did it. I learned that sports weren’t my thing, and I’ve stuck with music since then. Those of you who don’t do any kind of music because you’re afraid to go to the choir room, you make me laugh. I don’t understand how you find a room full of people like Kate Pitz and Shaun Meyer scary, but I’m telling you it’s perfectly safe to walk into the dungeon.

Learn to laugh at yourself. Cheering at football games isn’t nearly as fun if you’re not dressed up in a toga or florescent clothing and standing around at dances because “you don’t know how to dance” will never be fun. You get out of things what you put into them. If you’re willing to make a complete fool of yourself like everyone on the cover of this paper, you’ll make yourself and everyone around you happier.

Be proud of the things you’re

passionate about. If you’re like Jacob Rouse and love banana pancakes, don’t pretend you don’t. It’s a lot easier to be happy when you embrace things like your show choir cult and love for country music.

I guess this all boils down to be yourself and take risks. You’ll always miss 100% of the shots you don’t take, so you really have nothing to lose by trying something new because the worst that can happen is you end up back where you started.

Juniors, live up your senior year. In approximately 368 days you’ll be walking across that stage to get an empty folder. Sophomores, your high school careers are half over. The second half goes by even faster than the first, so take every opportunity that comes your way. Freshman, be happy that you still have time, it goes by fast. Seniors, in the words of Dr. Seuss, Congratulations!

Today is your day, you’re off to great places you’re off and away! WE DID IT! p.s. Zach, I lost the game.

that I would do anything to get attention. And when I would try to get attention, I just got myself into more trouble. Then once I got over that attention seeking stage, I became overwhelmed with life in general, and high school became my personal hell.

Now, as a senior, I couldn’t be happier. I truly enjoy coming to school everyday to see my teachers and my classmates. I am almost dreading these last few days because I realize that after May 24th, it’ll be the last time I see all my classmates again. Xavier has become my home, it’s made me the person that I am today, and I’m actually happy with the person that I am.

Okay, so the reason for my article is to tell the underclassman that your life will some day change drastically. It may be within these few years left at Xavier or when you leave these safe hallways and venture out into the real world. If you hate high school right now, please don’t assume that those feelings will

never change. I used to feel the exact same way, I almost

transferred! And now I’m not even close to being ready to leave. You may be going through some rough times right now, but trust me, everything

happens for a reason.

God Bless.

Feature

May 21st, 2009

8

Kirkwood Community College

Matt AshEmily Elwood

Laura FoxBertha GarciaCandace GreifBen Hemann

Jess KlostermannRyan Lynch

Jordan McGrathRamee Michalec

J.P. MillerSarah Mulherin

Briauna OrtmannConnor O’Connell

Amber SchmidtMadison smejkal

Skye StaqnekHaley TessmerMike VaughnAlex WoodsZach Willger

University of Missiouri

Danielle FortamanAllison Inglebright

Carly McClary

Creighton University

Emily GunnSean Matthson

David StanekMegan Welch

St. Thomas University

Emily Whitters

Oklahoma State University

Brian Mueller

Whitworth University

Angela Lutwitze

Colorado School of Mines

Megan Otting

Arizona StateUniversity

Staci Olsen

Johnshon County Community College

Mike Andries

Air Force Academy

Bryan Bentz

Air Force Academy Preparatory School

Eric Schreck

University of North Dakota

Paul Seifert

Undecided

Paul BestickLiz BiermanLucas GreifAlex Harry

Kyle JacobyNate Joens

Corey KadlecClare Larkin

Dalton LynchDerek Wollner

Coe College

Chase CoolingMegan Hepker

Caitlin Kray

Mount Mercy

Kalli HarriottOlivia Mehring

Drake University

Naomi DigiantonioKali O’Brien

Matt Van HoekKatie Weiler

Wartburg

Ryan McMahonKrista PedersonMarie Sorenson

Wayne State College

Jared Kraus

Grand View College

Allie Jones

Concordia

Gabe Brown

SENIORS‘09

Feature 9

Xavier High School

University of Iowa:

Heather AllebachKeaton Bolt

Maggie BroganJennifer Erger

Maegan LeskovecBri McNeal

Nicole McAllisterKelly NaughtonRachel PollariNolan QuintSam Schloss

Madeline SchmidtDavid Slater

Megan SmithRyan Smith

Alex SueppelSara Swanke

Gina VolkTrisha Warden

University of Northern Iowa:Logan Anton

Lindsey BanesMatthew Britten

Erica CanfieldAna CraigJill Cooper

Conner DorranceZach GignacJoe Husinga

Kristin FoxhovenSean LynnJosh Miller

Corey ReedEmily Ries

Jacob RouseJake Schulte

Erin SchneiderSusanne Scieszinski

Courtney SmithPeter Stepanek

Abigail SzymanekBrody White

Amanda VesterSarah Zenisek

Iowa State University

Michael BallTyler Bro

Lindsey ByardMolly ChariparKyle Enneking

Tim Van ErdewykHillary Feltman

Adam FloresGarrett Harris

Trevor HermeschEli Krambeer

Pat LewisStephanie LillyMeghan Lukan

Stephanie OlberdingLindsey SchulteDanele SpodenBen Wallerstedt

Katie Zogg

Saint Louis University

Brittany HansenGreg Scherrman

Dan ThorsteinsonSteven Young

Loyola University

David CollinsSydney LammersAshton Mitchell

Roosevelt University

Sam MitchellMark Tomy

Drury University

Brennan McAllister

Marquette University

Dennis ConwayJake Schueller

Amherst College

Will McCarten

Notre Dame University

Kristin Soukup

John Brown University

Jennifer Bridge

Truman StateUniversity

Kenny BaderUniversity of St. Francis

Torin Mallonee

Georgia Tech

Kevin Murtha

Naval Nuclear Power School

Michael Coffman

DePaul University

Karlyn Senica

Southwestern Illinois Community College

Destyn Weber

College of Charleston

Challiss Vick

Culinary Institute of Florida

Allyson Hovda

Luther College

Cassandra ChalhoubKeller GradoErin Persick

Grinnell College

David Cowden

Clarke College

Alexis Gibbs

Cornell College

D.J. Dorrington

Upper Iowa

Catherine Bunting

Loras College

Ellen KennedyTeresa O’Brien

Katherine ParkerAustin Steil

St. AmbroseUniversity

Holly FettketherBen Morrissey

Page Designed by: David Collins Information by: Will Thinnes, Angie O’Brien, Paul Esker

Xavier High SchoolMini-Feature10

Now...&Then

Ashton Mitchell

Will Thinnes wasn’t at Xavier yet. Dark times indeed.

2005

School ended at 2:36!

D-Lunch last year.

Jake Schulte’s School Picture freshman year

Jake Schulte school picturesenior year

+ =Eddie Davis

Senior parking only 2nd semester :(

Ed WollnerClass of ‘07

Q: What were some of your favorite memories of being at Xavier?

A: “Winning the state champion-ship was of course favorite. Also the Sandstorm during dances. It’s hard to find fun like that nowadays.”

Q: What are some things that were popular back then?

A: Grey’s Anatomy was popular, only in my day it was good and worth an hour of your time. Talk-ing back was also very popular for the class of ‘07...that can be a good thing though.”

Megan Smith Senior

Q: How do you think our class has changed since freshman year?

A: “People are more branched our and more secure with them-selves. We’ve become more of a whole rather than a bunch of cliques.

Q: What was your favorite memory of this year?

A: That was definitely when Kyle made that basket at the Linn-Mar game. It was like no emotion I’ve ever experience and it was such a cool way to bring our class to-gether.

20092006

State Championship Football team 2006

<3

2009

No more posing for Organizational Photo Day.

New parking lot.

Finally class unity..

Sandstorm! - The bomb hit dance craze was legal to be played at Xavier dances.

Page designed by: Allyson Hovda

May 21st, 2009 Health & Lifestyle 11

TheWorldTravler

Clockwise: Cafe in Paris, Molly at Notre Dame de Paris in Paris, France, Molly stands on a street London, Molly at the Effiel Tower.

>>> What’s it like to travel around the world for three weeks during the school year? Junior Molly Gunn gives us the exclusive look into her travels aboard.

1. Where did you go?

London, Paris, and Milan

2. What was a normal day like for you?

I would wake up, eat breakfast, work and then go home, do homework, and eat dinner.

3. What did you do in your free time?

In my free time, I would walk around and go sights seeing. I saw the Eiffel tower the Louve, Notre Dame, Big Ben and Bucking-ham Palace.

4. What was your favorite experience?

I saw the Mona Lisa, it was a lot smaller then I had thought.

5. What was your least favorite experience?

I hated it when I couldn’t understand the people there. I had no idea what they were saying at all. They were probably yelling at me.

6. Did you see any famous/important people?

I didn’t see any famous or important people. They all probably avoided me.

7. What was the food like?

The food was awesome I gained like a thousand pounds.

8. What was your favorite food?

They had really good pastries I ate ‘em all day. Breakfast, Lunch and dinner

9. Did you meet any new friends? Do you still keep in contact?

The girls there were very nice, but I couldn’t always understand them so it was hard.

10. Were you able to keep in touch with your family and friends? How?

I had a webcam and email.

11. What were the people like?

Some French people weren’t as nice as I would have hoped, they get sick of tourist and aren’t really willing to help you.

12. How did you handle missing so much school? Did you bring all your homework there?

I had to bring all my books with me...it weighed more than my suitcase

13. Were there major differences that you saw compared to the United States?

Well, in London, they drove on the opposite side of the road so that was hard to get use to. Also, the language was a major differ-ence.

14. Did anything surprise you? Were you expecting something that didn’t happen?

I was taken by surprise when I found out Harry Potter is a set – not a real world.

15. Would you go back? What would you do?

Yes, but I would probably need to bring an interpreter with me if I go back. Also, I would like to do more sightseeing!

Designed by: Ashton Mitchell, Assistant: Mackenzie Hines

09Xavier High SchoolA & E12

As we go on we remember...

all the times we had together.

Senior year: Superfans

Freshman year: Pink Panther

“Seniorz ‘09”

Sophomore year: Water lady at the retreat

“DMU”

“loquacious”

Xavier vs. City High

27-3

Neon Night

Kyle Jacoby’s basket vs. Linn-Mar

No minorities

on homecoming

court list

Sophomore year: Nate Joens losing his shoe during a basketball game and still scoring a basket without it.

Dae won Kim

Junior year: Biker brigade

XPL

Seniors 09 13

Patrons

Joe AhmannTodd & Kim AmlingCletus AmlingBrian & Francine AndersenSylvia AnspachHonie & Rusty ArmstrongJannie AsplundMark & Tammy AsplundJean BabsonDoug & Linda BaderJeff & Cathy BalesKevin & Diane BallardMelissa BallardSteve & Charlene BarakBarbara BarakDavid & Linda BeattyAlan & Connie BensonDeb & Dave BernsKerry BoltGreg & Bernie BordignonMike & Ellen BouchardGreg & Ann BrechtJohn & Lora BreitbachJacki BridgesLaura BridgesTheresa BroghammerTeresa & Tim BrimmerCharles BrownGeorgia BrownJohn & Carol BrownMark & Jackie BrownBarb BrunowCatherine BuntingTim & Michele CanfieldLucille CanfieldBrad CanfieldNancy ChariparDon & Mary ChizekAdam ColbertKelly Patrick CollinsTom & Dorothy CollinsWinpump CompanyBrad & Carla DavidsonPat & Nici DavisRachel DavisMarc & Teresa DaubitzMike & Karen DelaneyCori DeutmeyerMerrilea DeWitBrian & Terri DonnellyBob & Joanie Downey

David and Wendy DowneyPatricia DowneyAlicia DrownVirginia & Chris DupuisJim & Sue DyerJim EftingTom & Terry EklandLee & Nancy ElsonCarl & Carol EskerMike & Jody EskerBrian ErbeBrian ErnstMichelle EverettTom & Cindy FaganMollie & Dan FaganBrian FaganGloria FaganChris & Tammy FauconniereBlake FauconniereMarty FauconniereJane FeldmanDawn M. FeltmanKatie & Rob FrederickBrian FriedmannCathy GaffneyBob GardnerAndrea GarlandPhil & Donna GarlandTom GarlandMary Kay GerlemenKen & Darlene GibneyEd & Janie GibneyLisa & James GignacMatt & Katie GiorgioJeff GoedkenRhinda GoedkenMickey & Les GoldstineMary & Ken GoodellDave & Jessie GoodellLoran & Andrea GoulandBob & Kelly HaagLaueme HagelGreg & Shannon HarvieuxScott & Lisa HealdGary & Ellen HealdAnna HeffernJeff & Lisa HendersonNancy L. HenelyMike & Courtney HoffmanJean & Tom HoffmannEugene Hoffmann

Mary & Craig HovdaPat & Deed HuebnerWes & Lisa HuisingaScot & Marcia HughesBud HurleyDennis InglebrightJoshua InglebrightBetty InglebrightGreg & Deb JacobsDuane JasperScott & Anne JohnsonChris & Sherry KardosAl & Joni KellerMonica Straud & Joseph KennedyDenise & Jim KenneyKeven & Janis KileyBarb KlimeshMark KloberdanzAdele KluesnerMike KortemeyerAnn KortemeyerThe Lindsey KundelSuzi LaginaBen LammersDavid LammersHenry LammersJulie LammersMarty LammersLaSalle Media CenterLeroy & Jeannine LavelyJim & Paula LevettWynona LewisAddie LoebigSharon & Joseph LutgensBrian & Joy LongMargaret C. LotitoEdward LudtkeMike & Stacy LynnGene & Donna MaherTodd & Sue ManternachElisabeth MarksFrances MarksMichael MarksPam MartinWillie May DeeSteve & Denise MazePat & Cathy McAllisterAmanda McAllisterCraig & Kim McDermottWalt & Chris McDonald

Dave & Maureen McGrawJim & Kathy McPartlandJon & Kay McWhinneyMerle & Mary MenzelMary MettenburgMike MettenburgJoe & Cate MettenburgZip & Mary MettenburgJulie MeyerTom & Kathleen MiddletonPat & Deb MilkeDavid MilkeBarbara MillerJay & Valerie MillerPaul Holmquest & Sandy MillerKathy MilotaJim & Tami MitchellMark & Linda MitchellLeo & Diane MonaghanMelissa MonaghanGary & Annette MooreSue MorioEric & Tina MuellerMark & Jen MullinGoldie NielsenStephen & Janet NoonanAmy OberfoellDan & Carol O’BrienEileen O’BrienPat & Joan O’ConnorDan OglesbyDr. OlinMark & Beth OttingElisa Ovel Barbara PedersonLaure PetersPaul & Regina PisarikPhil & Tammy ReedSara RileyTim & Kim RionAnne RushtonMark McWhinney & Colleen RussellAnn SauserJoseph SchmallMarlene SchneiderAnn SchnoeblenJim & Julie SchnoebelenJan & Bill SchroederDavid & Cordula Schreck

May 21st, 2009

Mike & Carol SchuellerDarrel & Connie SchulteDean & Chris SchulteScott & Kathy SchultzErin SeelyJona SeifertJim SeifertSally ShedaDave & Jane SiegelCorwin SmithAdam & Kelly SpencerJoe & Karen SpodenKatie & Denny StewartLois & John StockFrank & Mary Lu TakesDavid & Karen ThinnesJoAnne ThinnesRick & Jeanie TomyEarnie & Darlene TopnessJill UngsTom ValentaDoug & Amy ValentineShawn & Karen VickBill & Sheryl VickIan VickMelanie VisiselMark VisiselMike & Lisa WallerstedtSue & Dave WeilerJeff & Cheryl WestlundBrendon WhiteCaleb WhiteClark & Terri WhiteLizzie WhiteMartha WhiteAl & Mona WhittersPaul & Gail WilliamsSteve & Pati WilliamsJoni WilliamsScott & Tracy WinkerMarge and Ed WollnerEd WollnerJohn WollnerCurt & Karen WoodsAlex WynneJulie A. Yanda-SieblesFrances YeagerKarla & Brian ZissowScott & Mary Zogg

The time was finally come when I am finally getting kicked out of this school. A Wollner will probably never walk these halls as a student

again, there have only been two of us, so I am the last of my kind. And just so you know – this senior article is not the one that gives a tearful goodbye to the community he is leaving behind. Because, let’s face it, Xavier: You won’t miss me, and I won’t miss you.

Last week I started to think about college, and I became scared of what was to come. I then remember that I am Derek Wollner…I am no longer afraid. I’ve learned a lot in my four years, but only two of those things have been in the class room (the bones of my arms: radius – ulna – thanks Coach Sullivan). Three things I’ve learned are most prominent in my head. Derek, you haven’t learned anything.

1. If you see a great deal in front of you, take it. State track

Once has been enough for a lifetimesophomore year – easiest 60 bucks I ever made. 2. I f you are on the s o p h o m o r e b a s k e t b a l l team and your name is Patrick Lewis, for the love of God don’t try to dunk the ball, because you can’t do it. 3. If

y o u r name is Mr. Hanley, don’t try to tackle an Iowa Hawkeye basketball

player – the man is 6’7. On a quick side note, I would

like to give a special thanks to my older brother, Edward Wollner (class of ’07), for being the rough draft to my final copy. And to his friend David, remember the name you were called because of the speed suit you claimed wasn’t yours?

Well, it was mine – I just never said anything.

One thing I will definitely miss

is the looks. In both track and

football, the looks your

opponent gives you. I could literally see the fear in my opponent’s eyes when they looked at me – not because

t h e y were afraid of me – they were afraid of the name on my

chest: XAVIER. Don’t ever forget that, when it comes to athletics, academics, fine arts, and everything else, it doesn’t get any better than this place. Remember that.

It’s my time to step aside and let someone else do this thing. You only live high school once, but if you’ve lived it like me – once is enough. Now, to the remaining and future students of Xavier.

Whatever you love, whatever you’re good at or interested in, whatever it is you do: Do work.

Xavier High SchoolSports14

Boys’ tennis ends season

Sophomore Alex Gerleman hits a ball during a practice.Allison Inglebright photo.

The boys’ tennis team has had a good season so far.

“Our goals for the team were to grow together and play out a great season and then hopefully make it to state as a team,” senior Steve Young said. So far, they have had a great season by accomplishing this goal and by progressing a lot as a team. They hope to have both doubles teams and singles players make it to state, not just team state.

The team doesn’t feel they’ve had too many challenges this season.

“For the few losses we’ve had, bouncing back and getting pumped for the next meet is a challenge we’ve overcome beautifully,” Young said.

The boys also feel they are starting to grow together as a team.

“The team is playing great and we all came together to be really strong and help each other,” senior Sean Mathison said.

Districts, sub state, and state are coming up soon. The boys have been playing a lot of tennis to prepare for this. The players have been spending a lot of time at practice as well as practicing for hours outside of practice at school.

Other good competitors include Kennedy, Washington, and Linn-Mar. The team played well against all three teams. Wahlert was also a good competitor but

Track teams prepare for state

Xavier came out with the win. “All of our players are great and

are competing great against other opponents and also against each other,” Mathison said.

Sean Mathison placed third in singles in districts. The team competed in pre-sub state Saturday May 16 and finished with a successful season.

Mary Helen Peters Sports Writer

Kenny BaderSports Writer

The girls’ track team received quite a bit of praise even before the season was actually underway. They anticipated to have one of their best teams ever and have been meeting those expectations.

The girls recently got third overall at Districts which were held at Xavier. They then qualified for twelve different events in the Regional meet held in Waterloo. The long list includes the 3,000m, 4x800 relay, 100m, 200m, distance medley, sprint medley, 4x200 relay, 4x100 relay, 4x400 relay, 400 hurdles, and two separate runners in the open 400. The Saints were second overall as a team at the Regional meet behind Cedar Falls. Jill Cooper placed first in the open 400 with a time of 59.77, with Emily Whitters finishing right behind her with a time of 60.6. Also, sophomore Kate Steingraber was impressive as she won both the open 100 and the open 200.

“Emily and I both set the goal for us to get first and second in the 400 at regionals, so it was really neat to win it, having both of us in the top two just makes it that much better,” senior Jill Cooper said. Coach Herdegen and the team are happy with the progress so far but not yet satisfied with their results. They believe they can do well and continue their success at the State.

“As a team were hoping to place at least in the top three for the meet. We’re working hard for that and personally my goal is to place at least in the top three in my four relays and improve our times,” sophomore Tyler Sampson said.

The boys’ track team has had a solid season after losing a bulk of talent from their team

last year. That factor combined with the move up to 4A competition has made for a more difficult road to state but the team is still sending a talented and confident group to compete. The boys qualified for a total of eight events at their Districts meet in Waterloo. Their qualifiers include Patrick Lewis in both the 100m and 200m, Eric Zenisek in the open 100, Kyle Donnelly in the 800m, Brennan McAllister in both the one and two mile, 4x100 relay, and the 4x200 relay. Patrick Lewis will go into the State meet carrying the title of MVC Athlete of the Year for boy’s track along with 100m Champion of the Drake Relay. “The recognition congratulations have been nice to get but we still really want to go up to state and surprise a lot of schools who are thinking we aren’t as good this year,” Lewis said. Lewis is not the only member of the team who has experience in winning though. Many of the seniors such as Corey Reed, Derek Wollner, and Brennan McAllister have all been to state and helped win a State Championship, so expect for a strong showing down in Des Moines.

Sophomore Halle Martin runs at a practice. Allison Inglebright photo.

Freshman Jordan Weber runs at a practice. Allison Inlgebright photo.

May 21st, 2009 Sports 15

Q & A : Rachel Pollari

Baseball is back in actionYear-after-year as the school year winds

down, the baseball season begins. But the 2009 baseball season will be different from the past years. The Saints will be competing at the 4A level after the regular season for the first time. As far as the regular season goes, the Saints will play the same 4A schools like in the past years, but the big difference will come when they have to play 4A competition in order to get to state.

“Now that we are playing 4A ball it’s going to be a lot tougher when the regular season comes to a close,” junior Matt Goiffon said.

Despite the switch, the team is more confident than ever largely due to the fact that they will be led by seniors Mike Andries, Jared Kraus and Zach Brecht. On top of the outstanding leadership, the team is also loaded with experience as only two players from last year’s starting lineup graduated. The Saints didn’t feel like they had the best of seasons last year, so they will be making some changes this year.

“We are going to try to improve our team chemistry from last year,” junior Jake Ratz said. Ratz will be the starting first baseman for the Saints this year and will be a player to watch for due to his ability to hit the long ball. Other players to watch for include Mike Andries behind the plate, Jon Keller throwing heat on the mound, and Jared Kraus playing either outfield or shortstop.

The team’s ultimate goal is to make it back to the state tournament. “We have a good shot at making it to state this year because we shut down teams with our pitching and we hit bombs,” freshman Dakota Miller said. The Saints will need to do both of these if they want to advance through sub-state and on to the state tournament.

The Saints season takes off when they take part in the Metro Tournament on Monday, May 25, so get ready for another exciting summer of Saint baseball.

Senior Jared Kraus walks goes up to bat in a game last season.Alicia Drown photo.

Chuck BalesSports Writer

With the girls’ golf season in full-swing, the Saints are off to one of their best seasons in Xavier history. The team is one of the top contenders in class 4A and is focusing on regionals May 26.

The team is led by top players Stephanie and Sarah Olberding, and sophomore Kimmy Askelson, but also has talent from juniors Beth Miller and Talor Ahmann, and senior Holly Fettkether.

In practice, the girls are primarily working on chipping and putting for their short game to try to make par on every hole.

With only a few weeks left until regionals, the remainder of the team’s season is packed with meets. They have two more weeks of the regular season with three meets per week.

To cope with the stress of all of the meets, the girls have one main focus.

“Take one meet at a time and focus on regionals and state,” Askelson said.The girls will have to compete with other competitive 4A schools, such

as Dubuque Hempstead, Waterloo West, and Iowa City West to reach their ultimate goal of going to state.

“We would really like to make it to state,” Stephanie Olberding said. “We have a very consistent team this year.”

The girls hope to keep this consistency by finishing out the regular season strong with a few more meet championships and getting some of the lowest scores of the season.

Girls’ golf ready for regionals

Lauren MazeAssistant Sports Edtior

1) How long have you been horse-back riding?

Just over four years

2) What’s your favorite part of horseback riding?

Being able to bond with my horse and jumping.

3) Do you have your own horse?

Yes, his name is Limitied Edi-tion, but I call him Edward, Ed, Eduardo, or Ed-weird-o.

4) What’s your biggest pet peeve?

Bad grammar

5) Would you rather be deaf, mute, or blind?

Deaf - I can live without music, but I have to be able to read and write and talk about my reading and writing.

6) What’s something unique about you?

I have friends all aroumd the world, other writers and people who share my interests.

7) What are your plans for the sum-mer?

I’m writing a sequal to a novel with my friend.

Elizabeth RobinsonSports Editor

Allison Inglebright photo.

Apologies to sopho-more Kristin Kram-er whose name was left out of our April 23rd issue for scor-ing a goal in soccer against City High on April 14th.

May 21st, 2009Backpage16

Most Likely to...Join the Circus Retake Drivers Ed

Be on the Bachelor/Bachelorette

Live in a Different Country

Live in a van down by the riverBe IDed at Age 45

Be the Next PresidentGet Married

Brennan McAllister & Morgan WashburnMark Tomy & Candace Greif

Lindsey Schulte & Tyler Bro

Sam Mitchell & Megan Smith

Peter Stepanek & Jordan McGrath

Ryan Smith & Meghan Lukan

Jill Cooper & Sean MathisonAshton Mitchell & Sean Kinkead

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