By BRAD MERK ’14
This year’s fall play was a presentation of Dracula. This wasn’t your typical grim, violent, and outrageous outing of Dracula. Instead, it had an intriguing mix of humor and chills.
McLaughlin Wins Well-Deserved 300
By JOHN FANTA ’13
The always humble Coach McLaughlin emphasized that his 300th career win and the program’s 500th win involve many more people than himself.
On October 13th, for one afternoon, one of the greatest soccer programs in the country took a look back at all of the phenomenal moments in its history. When asked about his accomplishment, Coach McLaughlin said, “This is an outstanding achievement, but there are so many people who I can thank. Coaches Popelka, Brennan, Crew, Henderson, and Kobe have been so critical to the success of the program.”
Policy Debate, Round One
John Carroll University hosted the OHSSL policy debate tournament on October 19-20, 2012. There were 24 teams from ten schools and two states in attendance.At the end of the tournament Kevin Pucci ’14-Andrew Beddow ’14 advanced to the quarter finals while Sean Lavelle ’14-Prithvi Pendekanti ’15 advanced to the semi-finals. Bronson Hausmann ’14 and Daniel Counihan had a 3-2 record but did not advance to the trophy rounds.
In addition, Daniel Counihan ’13 received 10th speaker award, Prithvi 8th speaker, Sean 5th speaker and Kevin Pucci 3rd place speaker.
School to explore stadium possibilty; other projects
By COLE BROWNSBERGER ’14
Student’s ears have been buzzing lately, not from the hives on the roof of the science building, but rather from rumors of a new athletic stadium to be built on campus. At the beginning of the school year, teachers and faculty were informed that the school was exploring the possibility of a stadium. \”It is true that there has been conversation with a benefactor over a possible new stadium,”
I am a Sikh, and I\’m proud
By RAI WALTERS ’15
EDITOR’S NOTE: Nearly 90% of St. Ignatius students are Catholic. Most of us went to Catholic grade schools. As such, it’s easy to forget that not everyone on our campus shares the same faith traditions. As part of an ongoing series this year, the Eye is examing the experiences and beliefs of Ignatians from a variety of faiths.
On August 5, 2012, Wade Michael Page entered a Sikh temple in Oak Creek, Wisconsin and opened fire, killing six and wounding four. The gunman–a white supremacist who took his own life after being wounded by police–left no indication of motive. However, violent attacks by those who believe (incorrectly) that Sikh’s are Muslims have been on the rise since September 11, 2001. That is a fact that is doubly wrong. First, Sikh’s are not Muslim. Second, no one should be targeted on the basis of their color, sex or religion.
Many people do not know a lot about the Sikh religion, even though it is the 5th largest global religion, with 30 million Sikhs worldwide. Sikh means \”disciple”
Six new teachers find a home at Ignatius
New teachers in Fine Arts, English, History and Science bring experience and enthusiasm to SIHS staff.
Mr. Paul Yappel boomerangs his way back to St. Ignatius
By CHAD KACHMARIK ’14
Paul Yappel may be new to the English Department, but he’s no stranger to St. Ignatius. While earning his Master’s Degree in Secondary Education, Mr. Yappel completed his student teaching here.Mr. Yappel makes his return to Wildcat High after years of teaching at Archbishop Hoban High School in Akron where he was described as a popular teacher who earned the respect of his students,. Mr. Yappel is quickly gaining the admiration of Ignatius students as well.
Mr. Yappel coached football at Hoban and is now serving as the Assistant Offensive Line coach here at St. Ignatius.
Although he is thrilled to be back at Ignatius, he’s still getting used to the commute.
For Mr. Cicetti tackling challenges is all in day’s work.
By KEVIN FOLEY ’13
Somewhat new to the History Department this year is
Mr. Dave Cicetti. Some students may remember Mr. Cicetti from last year, teaching Economics and Contemporary World Studies as an intern under Mr. Hess. As both of his parents were teachers, Mr. Cicetti grew up in a family environment that was strongly focused on education. He attended Columbus Academy, a grade school and high school in Columbus, Ohio. Mr. Cicetti then studied at Kenyon College where he was the captain of the football team. In 2006 he received the National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame Scholar Athlete Award. After graduating from Kenyon, Cicetti faced a series of health setbacks, including a few surgeries, and was not able to complete his Masters Degree in Education at John Carroll until 2012.
In his free time, Cicetti, above all, enjoys cooking. He loves grilling and prefers to make Asian-oriented dishes for his friends and family. Like the stereotypical history teacher, he also enjoys reading historical fiction and nonfiction. Most recently enamored with ‘Manhunt: the 12-day Chase for Lincoln’s Killer,’ Cicetti claims that this title is \”a must read if you are a Civil War buff.”
Just Add Water
Ignatius, Ed’s begin new rivalry on the Cuyahoga
By KEVIN FOLEY ’13
The Cuyahoga River, known to some students as a source of painful afternoon workouts (and to many more as a regional fire hazard), has recently become yet another battleground in the world of Ignatius sports. Yep, you guessed it. The Wildcats’ favorite prey, the Eagles, have started a rowing team.
Although St. Edward’s Rowing is a brand new program, many students and faculty will recognize a few familiar faces in the Eagles’ organization. Former Ignatius head coach Matthew Previts ’97 and Ignatius coxswain Matt Carlsen ’08 make up the Eagles’ coaching staff. Upon hearing this information, some students were quick to use words like \”traitorous”
A legacy that transcends tragedy
By Dr. Paul V. Murphy and Marcia A. Leous
Graduation season is just around the corner, a time to reflect on the past and look to the future. Our son, Daniel P. Murphy, would have graduated from St. Ignatius High School this June. This is an opportune moment to clarify some matters concerning Daniel’s death and ATV safety issues, reflect on his legacy, and offer thanks to the St. Ignatius community.
In an earlier issue of The Eye, Michael Dobscha’14, published a thoughtful and timely column on ATV safety. The school had experienced another crash involving an ATV. St. Ignatius High School is not immune to the epidemic of ATV-related injuries nationwide. Daniel was one of an estimated 781 individuals who died in ATV-related incidents in 2009. Nearly 132,000 received emergency room treatment for such incidents. This community should be particularly conscious of the need for greater safety. Mr. Dobscha argues for increased education and the use of proper safety equipment to reduce risk.
Is that enough? Stephen M. Bowman and Mary E. Aitken of the Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health have researched ATV-related pediatric hospitalizations. They found that 4,039 children under 16 were hospitalized in 2006 in such incidents and that the rate of such hospitalization had increased by 150% since 1997. They further state:
ATVs are inherently dangerous to children because of the factors, such as large engines, heavy vehicle weight, and poor stability, due to high centers of gravity and the use of low pressure, floatation tires. Both the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Surgeons advocate for limiting ATV operators to people aged 16 years and older. Manufacturers specifically label full-sized vehicles as inappropriate for children and adolescents younger than 16 years as well. Clearly, from this study of hospitalizations, a significant segment of the population is either unaware of these recommendations or has chosen to ignore them. (“Still Unsafe, Still in Use: Ongoing Epidemic of All-Terrain Vehicle Injury Hospitalizations Among Children,” Journal of Trauma, December 2010, vol. 69, no. 6, 1344-1349)
This indicates that something more than voluntary education programs is required. Bowman and Aitken call for a renewed consent decree between the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the ATV industry to reduce the use of these machines by children. We could not agree more.
Bowman and Aitken’s research also challenges observations we have heard from some, both young and old, on the crash that took Daniel’s life. Some have attributed the tragic event to the belief that “boys will be boys.” Others have offered the fatalistic observation that “accidents happen.” These interpretations mistakenly imply that somehow the boys involved in the incident – both Daniel and the survivors – were responsible. This would be an unjust and cruel burden to place on them. The St. Ignatius community deserves a better explanation.
Bowman and Aitken’s observation that some were “unaware of these recommendations” on limiting ATV use to those over 16 or “chose to ignore them” seems to apply in this case. At the time of his death, Daniel was not yet old enough to obtain a temporary permit to learn to drive an automobile in Ohio. He had never before seen, let alone operated, an ATV. The full-size ATV involved in the crash had been labeled by the manufacturer with a warning that it not be used by those under 16. ATVs should be treated like loaded weapons. They should be secured and locked away so that no more underage and untrained users lose their lives unnecessarily.
Our son’s memory is as dear to us as anything in our life. Part of our duty as parents is to preserve his reputation. Those who explain the crash by saying that “boys will be boys” or that “accidents happen” damage his reputation and fail to recognize the full scope of the tragedy: that it was entirely unnecessary that Daniel die on September 19, 2009 in Solon, Ohio. The crash does not seem very accidental to us. We are members of a Jesuit school community that is dedicated to building, in the words of the 32nd General Congregation of the Society of Jesus, “a world that is at once more human and more divine.” We have placed ourselves under a special obligation to build a society that does better for each other than what we witness today regarding ATVs.
Daniel’s legacy is not limited, thank God, to the manner of his death. The love that so many clearly had for him is a testament to the value of his short life and a consolation to his family. Daniel lives not only with the Lord but in the hearts and minds of his family, friends, and classmates. He remains a presence at St. Ignatius High School. We are confident that he acts now as a special patron of this school. Someone asked us recently if, during the time he was here, there was anything we wish we could have done with him that we did not get a chance to do. We responded by saying that in this we are blessed. We had no unfinished business. He lived his life as fully in the time allotted to him as anyone could. We only wish that we had had more days together, more opportunities to say to each other “I love you.” It would be a great legacy of Daniel’s if in his honor we committed ourselves to taking care of the unfinished business of our relationships with others and showed our love, in word and deed, to those whom God has placed in our lives.
Finally, we want to thank the students, faculty, administration, and Jesuit community of St. Ignatius High School for the support and prayers they have offered to our family. The St. Ignatius Crew Team, Coach Matt Previts, Coach Pat Connor, team managers Chris Pyrtko and Dave Barni, and the whole Wildcat Navy have supported us in ways that exceed our ability to acknowledge. All of those who have participated in the “Run for Murph,” to raise scholarship funds for this school that Daniel loved so much, have our deepest gratitude. Be assured of our continued thanks and prayers. We recognize the St. Ignatius Class of 2012 in a special way. You have been through a challenging and formative period in your lives. Few high school seniors have known so much grief and so much joy in such a short period of time. Each one of you, no doubt, is somewhat older than your years. As you prepare for the next stage in your life, we pose to you the same question that an old Jesuit English professor customarily posed to his students on the final day of every semester, “Now how do you live with what you know?” We offer you our thanks and support. You, like Daniel, are Ignatius men forever. Congratulations and Godspeed.
