TheProphet

UNION CATHOLIC REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

March 17, 2008

In this issue:
The Amazing Technicolor
UC Seniors Adventure to Spring Musical! Arielle Gonzalez
Warwick 2 SOUNDS OF MUSIC AND his life in Egypt. In the end, Joseph and the Amazing Tech-
applause echoed from the the family is reunited free of nicolor Dreamcoat special is
Daylight Savings 2 Union Catholic auditorium jealousy and hatred, and the its incorporation of almost
during March 7, 8, 9, 14, and show ends with the “Mega every music genre in Amer-
15 as the Performing Arts Mix”; a collection of the ma- ica. From rap (Poor, Poor,
Eight Ways to Welcome Company (PAC) put on its jor songs in the show done Joseph), to country (One
Spring 3 spring musical More Angel in
Joseph and the Heaven), to
Amazing Tech- Elvis themed
Super Tuesday 4 nicolor Dream- rock (Song of
coat! the King), the
UC Mock Primary 4 The show show has eve-
tells, or rather r y t h i n g !
Holy Week Liturgy 4 sings, the Bib- Though the
lical tale of difference in
Joseph, the musical genres
Spice Girls Concert Re- makes the
favored son of
view 5 Jacob, and show very in-
how his broth- teresting and
Senior Breakfast 5 ers sold him into slavery be- exciting to
cause of jealousy over his to a disco beat. watch, it creates additional
“multicolored coat.” The The musical, written by difficulty for the performers,
Easter Crossword Puzzle story continues through Jo- Andrew Lloyd Webber and who must change their atti-
6 seph’s rise, fall, and rise to Tim Rice, is in fact a rock tudes with each (continued
power once again as he lives opera. The thing that makes on page 3)
Carnevale 7

She’s Just Being Miley 7

The Outbreak of Spring Fever
Jamie Ciocon
Alternative Spring Break TEACHERS, LET”S FACE IT: lectures, laziness to do work, '11. "And nobody wants to
spring is just around the cor- and excuses for incomplete be stuck in a hot classroom,
8 ner, and it will take extra ef- assignments. Do not say you either!” With blue skies and
fort to keep your students have not been warned! high temperatures fast ap-
focused on parallelograms or Most students blame proaching, it is safe to say
To Kill a Mockingbird, as they Mother Nature for spring that students would like to
would rather be catching fever, saying that the warm have plans other than out-
some rays. Most students are weather makes them want to lines and lab reports for their
likely to be plagued by the drop their books for base- weekday afternoons. It will
epidemic of spring fever, the ball bats and their calcula- be hard to resist the lures of
desire for complete fun in the tors for ice cream cones. the mall, chock-full of stores
sun with friends as a prelude "Nobody wants to stay inside with new spring fashion lines
to summer. Side effects may doing homework when it's so (suitable for the hot weather,
include daydreaming during nice out," said Joanna Sibala of (continued on page 6)
THE PROPHET 2

UC Seniors Adventure to Warwick

Angela Sessa
ON FEBRUARY 29, 49 OF UNION Ivohna Howard ‘08. God. Following that, the students spent
Catholic’s senior class attended the Afterward, students were given the rest of Saturday night roasting
Senior Retreat in Warwick, New York. the afternoon off from activities. Most smores in the bon fire that was lit, as
Two busses full of students left the UC students spent their free time having two students, Bernie Cherubin ’08 and
parking lot at 6:00 p.m. Friday night Andrew Pauline ’08, played their gui-
and returned about 1:00 tars.
p.m. Sunday afternoon. The Sunday morning
The retreat was run by prayer was followed by
religion teachers Ms. speeches presented by
Grausam and Mrs. five of the chaperones;
Schurtz. Chaperons in- they each gave the sen-
cluded Assistant Princi- iors advice about col-
ples Mr. Reagan and lege, the future, and life
Mrs. McCoid, Student in general. These pres-
Affairs Assistant Mr. entations were made by
McCoid, Religion teach- Mr. Becht, Mrs. Caffrey,
ers Mr. Becht and Mrs. Mr. Caffrey, Mrs. Schurtz,
Caffrey, as well as Mrs. and Ms. Grausam. Fol-
Schurtz’s and Mrs. lowing the speeches, an
Caffrey’s husbands. agape ceremony was
The students started held as a way to wrap up
off their weekend with the weekend.
ice breakers on Friday “The weekend
night before they were was full of laughs, snow-
sent off to their cabins for the night. balls, plenty of junk food, and a whole
Saturday morning, after the opening snow ball fights with each other and
teachers, or tubing down one of the lot of tears,” said Elisabeth Scherer
prayer, five seniors spoke to their fel- ’08. “It was an amazing time to let go,
low students about their involvement numerous hills outside of their cabins.
relax, and see sides of one another that
in UC, difficulties they have faced, and Once the fun was over, the stu- we definitely wouldn’t have seen if we
the various ways they have changed dents received the letters that parents, hadn’t done this together.” The Senior
since freshman year. The student teachers, and other students had writ- Retreat was a way for the senior class
panel included Keith Zukowski ‘08, ten to them. Mr. Wright then made an to forget all their responsibilities for a
Elisabeth Scherer ‘08, Christopher appearance to speak to the students; weekend and just enjoy each others’
Smith ’08, Mitcha DeSilma ‘08, and he encouraged them to “step out of company and bond.
the boat” and form a relationship with

Daylight’s Savings: Time to Spring

Ahead Keyana Jones, Andrew Kulihin
THE BEGINNING OF SPRING BRINGS more in the evening.” due to extended daylight. Studies,
bright, sunny days and warm nights, Additionally, DST also de- done by the U.S. Department of
thanks to Daylight Saving Time. Day- creases the amount of traffic accidents Transportation, also show that DST
light Saving Time primary pur- saves energy because less
pose is to make better use of Fun Facts: electricity is used for lighting
daylight. In the spring, at 2 a.m., and appliance. Moreover, less
-If you live near the equator, day and night are nearly
U.S. clocks are pushed an hour electricity is used because
the same lengths.
forward and in the winter at 2 people are home for fewer
a.m. clocks fall back an hour. -The closer you live to the North or South Pole the hours during the “longer” days
longer period of daylight in the summer. of spring and summer.
There are many benefits to
Daylight Saving Time. Accord- -The idea of daylight saving was first conceived by Ben- Based on a random survey, the
ing to a poll conducted by the jamin Franklin during his sojourn as an American majority of the Union Catholic
U.S. Department of Transporta- delegate in Paris. community likes Daylight Sav-
tion, Americans like spring Day- -Daylight Saving Time is NOT observed in Hawaii, ing Time. “I hate waking up
light Saving Time because, American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, the Virgin when it darks, said Samantha
“There is more light in the eve- Islands, the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Hogan, 08’ “but I love warm
nings, therefore you can do Islands, and Arizona. summer nights.”
THE PROPHET 3

Eight Ways to Welcome Spring

Jamie Ciocon
WHAT CAN WE CONCLUDE about the green color poking through the ground on the Union Catholic front lawn, the
return of uniform polo shirts, and an intensified craving for the day’s last bell? The answer is simple: spring has sprung!
Here are eight ways to prepare for the arrival of the season of April showers and May flowers:

Dig out your umbrella. Spring weather is unpredictable; it may be sunny during your walk to the bus stop, but who
knows where the sun will be on your walk home? Storing a retractable umbrella in your backpack would keep you
prepared for whatever weather Mother Nature decides to throw at you.
Ask your doctor about what allergy medication is right for you. Pollen is the nose’s worst enemy during the
spring season. In order to avoid a case of killer allergies, visit your physician early in the season and request a pre-
scription for the allergy medicine that will work best for you. Be sure to follow your doctor’s orders to avoid health
problems that are even worse than those nasty sneezing fits.
Stock up on tissues. Not everyone can escape the allergy predator. If you are one of its unlucky victims, buy some
individually-wrapped packs of tissues to carry around in case your classroom lacks cotton-soft ply. You will rescue
your nose from the unwanted runs.
Change your school uniforms. Summer uniforms resume on March 15. Trade your sweaters, long sleeves, and
fleeces, for polo shirts, summer skirts, and gym shorts because the temperature in the UC building will only rise. Save
yourself from sweating!
Go shopping! Your favorite clothing stores are replacing their old winter fashions with their new spring lines. Go
ahead and “shop ‘til you drop” – you will not regret it once that cute top catches the eye of someone special.
Prepare your brackets for a month of madness. The first round of the 2008 NCAA Basketball Tournament begins on
March 20. With 64 Division I basketball teams playing 32 games to determine the national champion, “March Mad-
ness” will definitely live up to its name. The contenders will be announced on March 16, so be ready to fill out your
bracket and compare it with friends.
Do some spring cleaning. On top of getting rid of the clutter in your home, clear up old files on your laptop to keep
it running smoothly. Maybe even consider a trip to room 115 to get it reconfigured. Be sure to save important files
first!

Spring Musical
(continued from page 1)
passing song.
The cast, lead by English teacher
Mrs. Carolan, and choreographer
Emily Eger Donahue, did a very good
job of interpreting the story solely
through song. This year’s cast differs
from past years in that many of the
members are underclassmen; however,
age did not seem to matter once the
players feet hit the stage, as everyone
did a wonderful job in their roles.
The show was also distinguished
for the intense singing and dancing
ability needed to perform. Though the
show runs only about an hour and a
half, the continuous energy needed
leaves many actors breathless after
the performance. “I’m always ex-
hausted after a performance!” said
Nicole Johnson ’08. Large group,
show stopping numbers such as; tech crew builds the sets, sews the learned so much.” This year’s set was
“Jacob and Sons,” “Joseph’s Coat,” costumes, and does anything else tech- really special because of its size and
“Go, go, go Joseph,” and the “Mega nical that is needed. The tech crew is the large moving pyramid that en-
Mix” really highlighted the cast’s abil- headed by English teacher, Mr. Addi- closed the band in the beginning of
ity to work and perform as a team. son, with chief technician James Trollo Act II.
The cast members were not the ’08. “Tech is such a great experience,”
only people involved in the show. The said Colleen Cassidy ’11, “I have
THE PROPHET 4

Super Tuesday
Nicole Siano
MOST UNION CATHOLIC STU- Mike Huckabee, who received147
dents were happy to receive delegates; and Ron Paul, who won
Tuesday, February 5, off from no states yet received 10 dele-
school, but others were scurry- gates.
ing to the polls to pick the politi- New Jersey was one of the
cal party nominations for the February 5th Super Tuesday. Clin-
2008 presidential election. UC ton won New Jersey for the Democ-
students who are eighteen years rats. Although Clinton won New
old were able to vote in the 2008 Jersey, Obama won Union County
primaries. “It was my first time with fifty percent of the vote. “I am
voting,” said Ivonna Thompson hopeful that Obama wins and I be-
’08. “I feel privileged to be able lieve that his promises to bring
to vote and make a difference in change will come,” said Christo-
the government.” pher Smith ’08. For the Republi-
Super Tuesday refers to a cans, McCain won, and he did so
day in February or March of a by taking every county in New
presidential election year when Jersey.
the largest number of states hold John McCain is now the offi-
primary elections to select each cial Republican candidate for the
party’s candidate. On Super 2008 presidential election; how-
Tuesday, for the Democrats, ever, as more states hold their
Barack Obama won thirteen primaries, Hillary Clinton and
states, receiving 847 delegates, Barack Obama, remain close in the
and Hillary Clinton won eight race for the Democratic presiden-
states, receiving 834 delegates. tial nominee.
Leading the Republican Party,
John McCain won nine states,
receiving 511 delegates. Other Re- of the race included Mitt Romney,
publicans who have since dropped out race, who received 176 delegates;

2008 UC Mock Primary

Nina Napolitano, Ashley Wytenus
The UC History Club organized and votes, and Ron Paul with 25 votes. Club Advisor Mrs. Caffrey has organ-
held a Mock Primary Election at Union With 56%, most of the faculty ized. “This is my third time running a
Catholic on February 4. For the De- and students voted Democrat, while mock election in this building, and the
mocratic Nomination, Barack Obama about 28% of students and faculty actual winners have always been pre-
won 276 votes edging out Hillary Clin- voted Republican. About 15% of stu- dicted by UC,” said History Club Advi-
ton with 100 votes. For the Republican dents voted for more than one candi- sor Mrs. Caffrey.
Nomination, John McCain won 106 date, and were therefore disqualified.
votes, beating opponents Mitt Romney This year’s mock primary
with 30 votes, Mike Huckabee with 26 election was not the first that History

Holy Week Liturgy

Nina Napolitano
UNION CATHOLIC CELEBRATED ’09, “It reminds us why we is also a special event that
the upcoming Easter season with a have a holiday.” allows all of UC to be to-
Holy Week Liturgy. This annual mass As for others, the Holy gether before Easter Break.
is coordinated by the Peer Ministers Week Liturgy is a way to Adequately stated by Alex
and took place on March 17. celebrate the holiday with Bricki ’10, “Having the
Easter Break may be viewed as a friends. "I feel that it is a whole school gather to cele-
time for catching up on sleep, pro- nice time to gather to- brate the Easter Mass gives
jects, or just relaxing. But for some gether with my friends and us the opportunity to reflect
students the dismissal mass helps classmates before parting on Jesus’ Resurrection and
them to focus on God during the long for the holidays," said Sara to be together one last time
awaited vacation. “It brings the break Kropoth ’09. before we all go on break. “
into perspective, “ said Katie Colombo The Holy Week Liturgy
THE PROPHET 5

Spice Girls “Viva Forever”

Ashley Wytenus
The superstar girl-pop-band, which Spice, wore a giraffe-printed leotard. in the general sense, but this dilemma
many late teens and early twenty- was especially evident at the Spice
year-olds (The Spice Girl generation) Full of energy from finally see- Girls concert.
have been anxiously awaiting to see ing the Spice Girls, the crowd instantly Despite this off-putting obser-
reunite since May 31, 1998 when a started to scream and sing along with vation, other surprises included the
certain “spice” left the band, finally the melodies of their childhood. One solos that four of the members of the
came to the area in mid-February on of the biggest shocks of the evening band performed. Only Victoria
their world tour, titled “The Beckham, a.k.a. Posh Spice, did
Return of the Spice Girls.” not sing a solo, and instead
The Spice Girls performed opted to walk down a runway to
in New Jersey on February a mix of the songs “Like a Vir-
10,11, and 13, and in Union- gin” and “(Supermodel) You
dale, New York, on Febru- Better Work” by RuPaul. Al-
ary 6 and 7. A farewell to though she did not sing a solo,
the area was presented on the songs played during her
February 18 at Madison catwalk were catchy tunes with
Square Garden in New which to sing along. The two
York City. Although excel- most stellar solo performances
lent, some unexpected sur- were Geri Halliwell’s, a.k.a.
prises (some pleasant, Ginger Spice, cover of “It’s
some disappointing and off- Raining Men” and Melania Chis-
putting) surfaced within this holm’s, a.k.a. Sporty Spice, top-
concert experience. charting song “I Turn to You.”
When the Spice Girls rose up was the people in attendance; many of The Return of the Spice Girls
through the stage to sing their open- them could have only been two – proved to be a tremendous concert,
ing number, “Spice Up Your Life,” a years-old, maximum, when the Spice and, for the most part, fulfilled the
tune forever embedded into the heads Girls were in their prime! Although much needed nostalgic feelings of
of The Spice Girl generation every- they may like their songs by listening childhood. Although Emma Bunton’s,
where, the audience immediately no- to the Spice Girls CDs that they found a.k.a Baby Spice, and Melanie
ticed their modern looks; instead of in their older sibling’s collection, they Brown’s, a.k.a. Scary Spice, perform-
the bright, eccentric colors that once truly would not have been able to ap- ances were done well, the songs they
adorned their clothes, along with ani- preciate the world-wide phenomenon performed were not as well known,
mal prints, pinks, and union jacks, the the Spice Girls once were. Even and therefore difficult to sing along
Spice Girls had on more subtly hued worse, many of them, along with many with and fully enjoy.
attire. However, this is not to say that from the Spice Girls generation, Singing and remembering
their original fashion sense was not dressed as if they were attending a songs and a love for the Spice Girls
completely lost in the 10 years since night-time club in NYC, which would was what this concert was really all
they were all together. Emma Bunton, be fine if they were actually at one, but about; it was a time to reminisce and
a.k.a. Baby Spice, still wore a babydoll they were not. Not dressing appropri- say a final farewell to a beloved late-
dress, and Melanie Brown, a.k.a. Scary ately for events is a common problem 90’s band.

Senior Breakfast
Jennifer Kelliher
WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT meal pared a huge meal consisting of ba- complishments of [the] students.”, said
of the day? Breakfast! However with all gels, eggs, French toast, hash browns, Christine McCoid, Assistant Princi-
the hustle and bustle that comes with bacon, and fruit salad. Nothing seems ple. Bloustein Scholars Michael Di
the morning, grabbing something to to bring a group closer together than Paolo, Michael Mastrola, Alexander
eat may be as low on your list of pri- food does. “The breakfast gave every- Niziolek, Cynthia Ritter, Angela Sessa,
orities as flossing your teeth. How- one a chance to enjoy being with their and Chris Wytenus were honored.
ever, on February 21, the seniors of class because those days are slowly Cynthia Ritter and Allison Whitefleet
Union Catholic started their morning coming to an end,” said Xavier Pineda were acknowledged as National Merit
off right with a huge, hearty breakfast. ’08. Commended Students. In addition,
During homeroom, the class At the breakfast, students and Gabrielle Geller was honored as a
of ’08 was brought to the cafeteria to their accomplishments were recog- National Hispanic Recognition Pro-
celebrate the final 100 days of school nized. “We presented the awards gram Scholar while Austin Duong re-
that lay in front of them. To mark the because it was a good time to have the ceived the Principal’s Leadership
occasion, the Development Office pre- whole senior class recognize the ac- Award.
THE PROPHET 6

Easter Crossword
Nicole Siano

Across

3. Cheerful yellow spring flower.

5. Will he visit you this year?
7. You may go on an Easter egg…
8. Easter eggs are often made out of this
treat!
10. The season in which Easter is cele-
brated

Down

1. Show off your Easter bonnet at one!

2. You may wear one in an Easter parade
4. Collect your eggs in this
5. These hatch out of real eggs
9. We give chocolate ones at Easter

Spring Fever three glorious months of the summer

vacation that students have been an-
utes to their lack of focus in the spring
months.
(continued from page 1) ticipating since the first day of the But teachers, despite inevita-
course); the local sweets shop, namely school year. “Spring break is really ble spring fever, there is indeed a
Rita’s, which resumes selling its prize soon and I’m welcoming the days off, cure! Students will need constant re-
Italian ices on March 20; and the but it’s too short!” said Frances Ar- minders that the school year is not yet
sports field, where Union Catholic cales ’10. “It’s kind of like a teaser to over, and there are still goals to be
students will compete in the spring summer because I know a better vaca- met. They will need your help to sus-
sports season beginning on April 1. tion is coming up, and I just can’t wait tain their determination for an aca-
Furthermore, the spring sea- for that.” Just the thought of a longer demically strong finish in June. Teach-
son’s perfect weather serves as a pre- relaxation period away from school ers, during these last few months you
view of what is about to come (and, has the tendency of making students must step up so your students do not
honestly, could not come sooner): the antsy with eagerness, which contrib- step out!
THE PROPHET 7

Carnevale: An Italian Tradition

Nicole Siano
CARNEVALE IS ONE OF THE fore Ash Wednesday, but because of event; students could either bring a
longest standing traditions of Venice. Super Tuesday and other scheduling dish of food or pay a five dollar admis-
Thousands of years sion. Dishes in-
ago, Catholics in Italy cluded everything
began the tradition by from baked ziti to
holding a costumed chicken parmigiana
festival right before the to cannolis. Students
first day of Lent. are able to dance
Catholics are asked to with their friends,
fast during Lent, and to forget about school
abstain from eating work, and just have a
meat on Fridays. The good time. All of the
celebration of students jammed to
Carnevale literally the self-proclaimed
means “to put away the song of the Italian
meat.” As people be- classes: “Olympia
came more familiar Agnone.” This year,
with Carnevale, the the Italian classes
festival spread to wanted to celebrate
France, Spain, and all Carnevale as it is
the Catholic countries done in Italy. Tradi-
in Europe. Later, the tionally, people wear
tradition was brought masks at Carnevale,
the United States. and in order to come
On March 6, ap- to the celebration
proximately 40 stu- this year, everyone
dents from U.C.’s Italian class held difficulties, the festivities had to be put had to have a mask. The masks enable
their own version of this lavish party. on hold until afterward. Each person people to hide their identities, and
Normally, this event takes place be- attending was asked to R.S.V.P. for the enjoy the festivities with no worries.

She’s Just Being Miley

Jennifer Kelliher
IT IS SAFE TO SAY THAT POP SENSA- room for error. Every little thing her. The media has become so critical
tion, Miley Cyrus, will not be coming Cyrus does is picked apart by news- of her, that a scene in her movie, Han-
to Union Catholic for a performance papers and gossip websites. Small nah Montana and Miley Cyrus: Best of
any time soon. With her hit Both Worlds Concert, where
American Emmy Award- she and her dad did not put
nominated Television series, their seatbelts on, was
soundtrack CD, double al- enough for her to be called a
bum, movie due to release “bad role model” by some
sometime in late 2008, and 3D newspapers.
concert, Cyrus does not live Cyrus’s sudden launch into
the life of a normal fifteen- fame at such an early age is
year-old. Her success and similar to Britney Spears’s
fame have set her up as an and Lindsey Lohan’s experi-
undeniable role model for ences. Given a few years,
young girls to admire; how- one might conclude that
ever, with every good, a bad Cyrus will end up letting
closely lurks behind. fame lead to her own down-
Cyrus deals with an fall. It is important to keep in
unimaginable amount of pres- mind that if the public does
sure at such a young age. not want another Hollywood
Whereas most fourteen year train-wreck; they need to let
old girls are learning from a fifteen-year-old be a fifteen-
mistakes and figuring out just who things such as wearing too much year-old. “People need to relax in-
they are, adulthood has been forced make-up seem to be enough for peo- stead of taking every little thing she
upon her. She is constantly being cri- ple to shake their heads, claiming no does and blow it out of proportion”,
tiqued and criticized, leaving her no young girl should be looking up to said Melissa FitzGibbon ’09.
THE PROPHET 9

Alternative Spring Break

Arielle Gonzalez
WHILE MANY HIGH SCHOOL AND ent locations and help those in need. native spring break via their
college students will be having fun in In recent years, many students have “Think” campaign.
the sun this spring break, others will gone to Louisiana to help rebuild
be using their break to better the homes lost through Hurricane Katrina; Before cancelling out the
world. All over the country, students some students have even gone to Af- “hard work” of an alternative spring
are putting down the tanning oil and rica to teach impoverished children. break ,think of the various opportuni-
picking up shovels as part of alterna- ties this type of break could include.
For the past few years, students For one, alternative spring break al-
tive spring break. have been participating in various lows some students to go to far off
Students on an average spring alternative spring break activities. The places they normally would not visit.
break can be found at a hot party spot, idea of bettering the planet and the Alternative spring break has also been
but still many students choose to give people that live on it seems to have considered by many to be a method of
up their time that normally engulfs struck a chord with the youth of the personal growth and discovery. No
spring break, and instead, perform world, especially in recent years. The matter what the reason for the partici-
charity work during the few weeks of message of alternative spring break pants’ choice, it is obvious these help-
their break. Alternative spring break has been even more popularized by ful youth leaders of tomorrow will be
is a program that runs in many com- organizations such as MTV, who have making a positive change for the bet-
munities in which students go to differ- been spreading the word about alter- ter this spring.

Have a blessed, Christ-filled

Easter and Spring Break

- From the Staff of

The Prophet

The Prophet
2007-2008
Editor-in-chief: Christopher Wytenus
Copy Editors: Nicole Siano, Nina Napolitano
Assistant Layout Editors: Ashley Wytenus, Sarah Getz
Sports Editor: Angela Sessa
Assignment Editor: Keyana Jones
News Writers: Jennifer Kelliher, Jessica Ballate, Arielle Gonzales, Jamie Ciocon, Andrew Kulihin