When you hear the words “Advanced Placement”, a common student reaction may include cringing. However, it has been my experience that English at the AP level is only as scary as you make it. A big part of Bishop Connolly’s philosophy is the importance of homework. As a freshman meeting all of my teachers, the one thing that tied them all together was the fact that every student must do their homework. Now as a senior, this has not changed. This common theme in Bishop Connolly is promoted in every class regardless of level. In my AP English class, there is no leniency for late homework. If you focus on your work and turn it in on time, it is very hard for you to do badly. The pace of the class is faster than those at college-prep and honors levels, but the expectations for the students are the same. The AP English class is centered on what students need to know in order to pass the AP test at the end of the year. Receiving a certain score can give the student college credit. Many genres are explored. The study of poetry is stressed in this course. Analyzing poems is something that we practice both as a class as well as individually. For some people, this is not their cup of tea. In my experience with poetry, you either love it or hate it. My teacher, Mr. Giuntoli, has assigned a project recently that may be a comfort to those in the class who cannot decipher poems. The assignment is to pick some of our favorite songs and analyze the lyrics as poetry. This can allow students, who are already familiar with their songs, to better understand the process of analyzing poems. Practicing this process can only benefit the students when it comes time to take the AP exam. Being in this class has been interesting. I was excited about taking it once I was recommended. Learning on the first day what we were going to do allowed me to see what kind of a class I was really taking. The workload was heavier than most, but it was nothing to complain about. There has never been a time where I have felt overwhelmed by the class. English for me is something I would like to pursue in college, so my opinion may be biased. It is taught like a college course, so that after we graduate, we will not be thrown off by college classes.

Almost all high schools have some kind of pep rally. Students walk down to some kind of venue, such as the auditorium, and watch spirit invoking competitions or sports teams captains try to rally them up for the slew of games that are coming up in the near future. While Connolly has done this in the past, students and faculty alike have decided that this format has become a tad stale. To switch up from the norm, rather then just have a stereotypical pep rally, this year Connolly will be holding “Connolly Day”. It is sure to be a unique and fun experience that no other local school offers. Instead of holding the aforementioned normal pep rally, Connolly is going to turn the pep rally into an all day event. To start the day of Connolly will be having its 2nd Mr. Connolly competition. In it Matt Kimpel, Demetrius Green, Chris Paryno, Alec Moniz, Ricky Landis, and Davas Wright will compete for the title of Mr. Connolly. Much like a Miss USA pageants, the contestants will perform a talent, show off formal clothes and swimsuits, as well as taking part in a question section. After Mr. Connolly is crowned, students will be allowed to roam the school and it campus where there will be multiple areas set up for students take part in. Some of these areas will include a dunk tank, a moon bounce, and an obstacle course. Midday, Connolly will provide a free lunch which will include hamburgers and hot dogs. After the students are done participating in the events such as the moon bounce or obstacle course, the actual pep rally itself will be held. Since students are allowed to decorate the gym throughout the day, the gym will look spectacular as it will be dawned in red and gold everywhere. There will be multiple contests held throughout the pep rally that will surely invoke the rivalries between each of the classes. After the contests the sports teams will be announced and each captain will give an overview of their respective teams. Finally the coveted Spirit Bowl champion will be crowned. The Spirit Bowl is something all classes fought hard for all week long, so the climatic revealing of the champion will sure to bring many cheers and boo’s. Students and faculty alike are excited to be take part of the first ever Connolly Day. Allot of work and preparation has been put into the day. Many hours were spent planning the day, as well as gathering money so a day like this could be possible. Hopefully this will be the start of a long tradition. The one thing that is for sure, Connolly Day will defiantly put a fun new twist on a normally ho-hum pep rally that every student has become accustomed too.

While 5 am is a time most of us are trying to catch a few more vital hours of sleep before we have to make our way to high school for another day, Raelene Harper was already up, setting out to do what she enjoyed most. During her high school days, Lena, as her friends call her, would be up bright in early so she could have a couple hours to surf before home room. Growing up in up in San Diego Harper would experience a life that many of us northerns dream about. Living in what she referred to as “ Heaven on Earth”, Harper's youth consisted of sunshine, beaches, palm trees, and sports. Attending Granite Hills High School, Harper seemed to excel at everything she did. Driven by the fact that she was the third person (and the youngest) in her family to attend Granite Hills, Harper was determined to make her own mark. A very bright young woman, she would maintain above a 4.0 GPA over her four years in high school. More impressively on top of all her schoolwork she was a three sport athlete. Sports always played a big part in Harpers life. A standout soccer, track, and volley ball athlete, Harper was one of the most athletic people in her high school. She throughly enjoyed sports and did her best to be the best one on the field, track, or court. Eventually becoming captain of all three of her sports, Harper undoubtedly was one of Granite Hills finest athletes. That statement is a very strong one considering the class of athletes Harper was surrounded by. Multiple Olympic caliber runners, baseball standouts Marcus and Brian Giles, Olympic volley ball player David lee, and the current New Orleans Saints running back, Reggie Bush were just some of the famous names to attend her school. Due to her involvement in many sports, Harper would meet and become friends with many of these people. Reggie Bush and Harper were actually teammates on their track team. Though not best friends, Reggie ( then known as ' Ricky Ticky Tabby' ) would often play pranks on Harper. “ Reggie could be very annoying sometimes” she said. When asked if Reggie had any secrets or rituals in High School, Harper revealed that during football and track Bush would wear the same exact pair of “ Where's Waldo” socks pulled up past his knees. When asked is he looked silly in such socks during track meets, Harper responded by saying “ Yeah, but it was Reggie, no one said anything. Reggie, Harper, and the rest of their track team would make the state tournament multiple times while she was in high school, and even win the whole event her sophomore year. Success followed Harper in all of her sports, especially volley ball, which was easily her favorite and best sport. An all star player at her high school, Harper dominated the court. She was so talented at the sport, she received a full ride to Long Beach college, one of the most respected schools for volley ball and a perennial winner. She would eventually go on to reject it . Harper had a different vision in for her future. Eventually attending U.S.D. ( University of San Diego ), she chose to work with those less fortunate and spend her time teaching those who couldn't always reach a school. From this teaching Harper would join Providence College's PACT program, leading her where she is now Bishop Connolly. When asked how she feels about Connolly, Harper responded with a bright smile saying “ I love it “. Hopefully her time in Connolly can remind of the great time she had in San Diego.

This fall Chris J. Silva, the director or visual and performing arts here at Bishop Connolly, along with the students in theater, will be producing this fall’s first show, titled Rumors, a Farce which was originally written and directed by the playwright Neil Simon in 1927. Since then the play has become a popular production for local, high school and community theatre departments. The play begins with several wealthy couples, as they arrive at a party in a highly upper-class house in New York to celebrate the couple’s 10th anniversary. When the first couple (who are also best friends with the hosts) arrives, they discover that there are no servants, the hostess is gone, and the host has shot himself through the earlobe which they presume as a suicide. The host, Charley Brock, is the deputy mayor of New York, and as each quest arrives, a different story is created in order to prevent anyone including the local police from discovering this. The play continues as such as the stories become more and more outrageous. Ken Gorman, the main character, is played by Senior Joel Normandin. Other significant actors include Paul Senra, Amanda Cook, and Jon Olson all of whom are seniors. In addition, underclassman like Alec Moniz, Ariel Moniz and Nina Blythe will be there to compliment each senior. With each production from the Connolly theater department, the talent and production levels increases, raising the bar. “It’s honestly one of the funniest scripts I’ve ever read,” says director Chris Silva the essential key to the department’s success. Mr. Silva has been department chair and director of all the Connolly productions for the past five years. In the past he has directed The Odd Couple, Damn Yankees and Macbeth with a modern day twist all of which were received well by the students, faculty, and community. “Everyone needs a good laugh these days,” remarks Silva, “so this is one show no one should miss!” Rumors runs November 21st and 22nd at 8 PM and November 23rd at 2 PM at Bishop Connolly High School. “It’s non-stop, high energy fun from lights up to blackout!”

Since the early 70’s sports have been a staple in student’s life at Bishop Connolly. Within the past thirty years Connolly has produced annually competitive baseball and basketball programs, one the best hockey programs southeastern Massachusetts had even seen, a once dominating soccer program, a fast track and field team, and not too long ago a football team. For the past couple years, all sports programs from Connolly competed in the Massachusetts EAC (Eastern Athletic Conference). Filled with large schools such as Somerset, Bishop Stang, and Bishop Feehan, it became tough for a small school of 300 kids to compete on the same level of schools with 700 to 1000 more kids. For this reason, Connolly would move into the Mayflower league. In this conference Connolly would now face schools with similar amounts of students participating in sports. When school started, and fall sports started we got to see just how Connolly would react to being the new kids on the block. For the most part, the results were a good start. Soccer was a sport that Connolly was once a powerhouse in. Both boys and girls soccer had its time for glory, blowing out their opponents week in and week out. While this was not quite the case for this season, both teams saw improvement to their play. While the boys failed to achieve a win all season, they played hard, and stayed close, as seen by the three ties they had that season. The girls soccer team had a highly successful season, returning to the playoffs, a feat that hadn’t been accomplished since the early 90’s. Their overall record for the season was ten wins seven loses and one tie. Captain Katie Brown had to say about the season: “The Mayflower League was a great place to compete in, as we began to play more even matches teams, and play in more competitive games.” The Golf team also had a great season, achieving a winning record and making the play offs also. Though having a young team, they pulled together and had one of the best seasons in recent Connolly golf history. John Olsen of the golf team said: “The new league was great, even though we had a young team, we were able to compete, and have fun.” Another big story was Connolly reinstituting their track and field team. While the team was on a break due to lack of runners, their year saw a revival of enthusiasm about track. “Its great the team got back together” captain Katie Tighe said. “It rekindled my passionate love for running.” In the Mayflower league, runners were happy they found a new division in which they could compete in. The last team affected by the league switch, was the football team. Though the football team had a rough time this year, they did achieve their first Mayflower league win, in a thrilling overtime game against Southeastern. With its first division win under their belts, the ground work to becoming the best in division has been laid down. “ Though its been rough” said captain Kyle Manor, “ its good for the team we got our first division win, hopefully it will lead to even more wins in the Mayflower league.” All of the sports experienced a positive experience in the Mayflower league in one way or another. Undoubtedly the teams will become stronger and stronger, until Bishop Connolly is the class of is new league. Until then, the new kids on the block have a lot to look forward to.

Thanks to Mr.Giuntoli (he likes to be called simply “Mr. G”) and other faculty that has devoted time and made it possible for BCHS to make great improvements to its technological infrastructure. I asked Mr.G how he himself felt about the new technology and his response was that we have made great changes like putting in wireless internet which allows students and faculty to use state of the art technology to complete research, assessments, and or school work. Wireless allows more technology in the classroom like virtual labs that have allowed the faculty to form research and experiments without worrying about budget restraints, and safety precautions. The wireless connections even allow students to work at home without worrying about arranging time in labs if a student was absent or missed the assignment. Another great addition is the grade quick web for faculty that allows teachers to access grades and attendance to make changes or report grades on and off the school site. I then asked Mr.G if he or any of the faculty members looked to go further in the future with technology at BCHS his response was that he would like to make the school a laptop school with every teacher and student able to have a laptop to continue to utilize virtual labs in all sciences offered at the school, and eventually increase projectors in all classrooms and permanently in the auditorium. Mr.G also added the response of the students have been very positive because they can take notes, research and cite information from the internet in each classroom, They can perform moodle say in the cafeteria in or after school or even in their home or anywhere with internet connection as well as the same for faculty with grade quick web, the teachers are also pleased they can enter grades or attendance in the comfort in their own home or anywhere with internet access. Lastly I asked Mr.G how this could be an interest to incoming students or even students that attend bishop Connolly now more so then what you have told me. He then expressed how with this new technology and access to materials online it will prepare students for college because they will be learning to utilize there own technology for getting information and taking notes.

As we all know this year is already off to a bright and exciting start with one of the newest achievements student council has brought about that has given the student body a great amount of joy, this would have to be the new senior lounge that the student council of 09’ has put into effect after being lost for so long do to unruly activities. With the hard work and persuasion that the student government of 09’ promised to uphold the correct duties and also to keep good behavior, the senior lounge will be open throughout the day for all 09’ SENIORS! Also the student council as well as many more student volunteers who devoted there time, have pulled together furniture and decoration to fill out the room from some of the faculty or even just bought from retail stores with funding. With comfortable coaches, and decorative painting as of a mural from the class of 09’ that is painted on the wall which symbolizes the class as a whole for its unity in putting together the room and everything in it. The seniors show great appreciation toward the student council for their tremendous help as well as the faculty for their leeway in letting us all take part in this, as it is after all our last year here and we all want to leave behind something that will be hear for the remaining years at Bishop Connolly. This isn’t at all it for this year though the student council is surely doing more for all the students rather then just the seniors alone. After all they will be the upperclassmen next year leading and continuing what we leave behind this year. As I asked our student body President Jasiel Corriera II for more input on what his biggest goal of this year is, I was somewhat shocked to hear that his biggest goal for this year was to increase student pride, of course not a bad idea to increase pride and morale in the school I just thought maybe an air hockey table, or foosball table would have been great. But Jasiel continued to explain why student pride was important. He believes with more fun fundraising and events students will feel more apart and acknowledged in the BCHS community, and with being more involved, later students will feel more inclined to be in any extracurricular activities of any sort to be more apart of the school in any way he or she can, that Jasiel said is very important. Also I asked Jasiel how was faculty was taking the changes that you and the student government are trying to make, I asked if they were positive at the most or negative and he replied that Mr. Scanlan and Mr. Shay are very positive in letting us try new things and take into consideration any idea weather it be an activity, a project and or even fundraising, Jasiel stated that they as well as other faculty member continue to strengthen the student government in anyway they can with simple hints that maybe we don’t see to do or illustrate. Also big supporters of the student government are moderator Mr. Viera who is helpful to anyone in student council with questions. I then asked Jasiel his next plans for the school and what they where and he replied that he would like to paint the “DEN” for this year’s basketball season and also he would like to make a student lounge for the remainder of school in near the cove of the cafeteria, and lastly to overall find more fun fundraising that students we will all get into. Lastly I asked Jasiel what he would like to leave behind this year and his response was that the class of 09’leave behind a legacy, that “we are small in numbers but big in spirit.” As you can see Jasiel is very devoted to the school and it community and the class of 09’ thanks him and all student council who have given us already the beginning of a great year as well as I’m sure a great rest of the year.

With the end of the fall sports season, much admiration was to be given to the all the captains. With their strong leadership, and athletic skills, the captains truly fulfilled the role they needed to play this season. With such great personal success, Mr. Shay decided that the fall captains deserved a special trip that would send them off with one final memory. He would schedule a tour at the ESPN Studios in Bristol, Connecticut. While the captains were excited about what was to happen, they had no idea about special the trip would be.

The trip would start off with a two and a half hour ride from Fall River all the way to Bristol, Connecticut. When the van finally arrived, the first order of business was to check in the main lobby at ESPN. While waiting in the lobby, the fall captains would experience the thrill of a lifetime. As the captains stayed there waiting, the lobby doors bust open, and lo and behold, Shaun White, five-time gold medal snowboarder and X Games champion, walked in with a posse behind him. Though the captains found themselves star struck by the world famous athlete it did not prevent them from taking multiple pictures with the star. These pictures can be seen on the Connolly website. Within the first five minutes, it was apparent that the trip was well worth then the long car ride.

The tour would start after the pictures with Shaun White were finished. The tour brought the students through all different facets of the ESPN headquarters. The captains saw the video production, sound production, and the coordination rooms. The highlight of the tour came when the captains were shown and allowed to walk onto the set of NFL Live. NFL Live is a very famous program that is well known for its cast of member including Chris Berman. The captains were allowed to take pictures on the prestigious set and these pictures can also be seen on the Connolly website. The trip was an awesome experience for all those involved. The trip concluded with a long ride home in which all the captains took a well deserved rest after such an eventful day.

It’s not often in person’s life that they get the opportunity to meet someone famous. It is even less often for a regular person to be able to see an Emmy. However, a few weeks ago, students at Bishop Connolly were able experienced those rarities on a normal day of schooling. The speaker we were introduced to was Greg Costa, an Emmy award winning producer for ESPN’s SportsCenter, the award winning sports recap television program.

He spoke to students concerning events in our everyday lives and in our future. He consistently stressed the concept of choices and how our lives functioned on choices we would make however big choices we would make however big or small they were. Using students as examples he demonstrated that it will be important to make choices and keep multiple choices available to us.

He also pointed out that his most catalyst for success was traveling. He shared personal experiences about growing up in Fall River, and traveling to different states, countries and cultures and how it had an important role in opening his eyes to the world. He specifically recalled meeting hall of fame football players, now announcers and there different accents and how just by listening to their dialects he was able to see differences but also learn about other cultures.

Students were intrigued by the speech and paid close attention to his lessons. The speaker’s comedic tone also helped lighten the mood but still get his point across. In the end though students were welcomed to approach the speaker, either to talk to him or touch the Emmy he had brought along with him. As students filled out of the auditorium following the conclusion of his talk the, it was quite clear the ideas and concepts of the speaker’s speech had carried too.