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2023-24 Student Senate Slate Introductions

By Seamus Walsh ’24

In the spirit of enlightening members of the student body on their Student Senate slate for next year, compiled is some information on each of the members.

Shivam Pandya:

Shivam Chirag Pandya will serve as the President of the Student Senate this upcoming academic year. It will be his second year in the Senate, serving as an elected junior senator this past year. Outside of the Senate, Shivam runs both track and cross country and is involved in the Center for Ignatian Pedagogy, the Pre-Med Society, and NHS. When asked about ways he wants to make an impact, Shivam noted, “I want to make [the] Senate more accessible and more student-driven. There are obviously events that need to happen every year like Homecoming and Christmas on Campus, but I feel that many students have the notion that the Senate works separately from the rest of the student body. One of my main goals is to get as much student input as I can on initiatives they’d like to see, whatever that may entail. If it’s feasible, I’m going to do my best to implement it. At the end of the day, the Student Senate is a service and leadership organization and I want to exemplify those two attributes as much as I can, both in my own presidency and in the way the Senate as a whole operates.” Of similar importance, his favorite food from Rade Dining Hall is morning donuts. He left me with a valuable quote from Nike, one that he wants to employ throughout the upcoming school year: “Yesterday you said tomorrow. Just do it.”

Stephen Tirpak

Due to his membership since freshman year, Stephen John Tirpak is hoping to make a large and informed influence during his time as Vice President of the Student Senate. Stephen will aid Shivam in all operations as well as manning the spirit role of the school, such as within student sections. Athletically, Stephen is a linebacker for the football team, plays on the lacrosse team, and is a two-time intramural basketball champion. The incumbent Vice President is involved with NASA Cats, the Student Research Fellowship, Pallbearers, Labre, NHS, Model UN, Peer Tutoring, and YOSA. Looking forward to next year, Stephen would like to implement more schoolwide activities and spirit events (like Lumberjack Day, rallies, etc.) and encourage more student involvement in service initiatives. “I want to further strengthen the sense of community on campus and our Ignatius Brotherhood,” noted Stephen. His favorite Rade meal is the chicken patty. Stephen’s precious quote spawns from Andy Dufresne in The Shawshank Redemption: “Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies.”

Michael Polito

Michael Houser Polito will serve as the Secretary of the Student Senate next year. He has been involved with the Senate since his sophomore year. Michael is involved with the track and cross country teams, Circus Company, Pallbearers, Speech and Debate, NHS, and the Center for Ignatian Pedagogy. When asked about his goals for next year, Mick responded, “I’d like to make the 2023-2024 school year the best it can possibly be by all metrics. There’s always something to improve, whether that is making freshmen feel more welcome, making events such as homecoming more enjoyable, or just spreading a culture of caring for our brothers and sisters both within and outside of our community.” Surprisingly enough, Michael’s favorite cafeteria item is the meatball sub, which is quite an unorthodox option. In closing, Michael leaves the quote “Veritas nunquam perit,” meaning the “truth never dies.”

Patrick Laudolff

Patrick William Laudolff will serve as the Student Senate Communications Chair for the 2023-2024 school year. This is the first of three new positions in the Senate, with roles that hope to innovate and energize the Senate as a whole. Patrick will handle all communications for the Senate, from announcements to event publicity. Laudolff is involved with Model UN, SIBN, The Eye, and NHS. He hopes to impact the school community by “getting the word out to everyone about Senate events and opportunities.” He adores the giant cookies from the cafeteria. His valuable quote is from  Forrest Gump: “And that’s all I have to say about that.”

Fitzwilliam Lokiec

Fitzwilliam Henry Lokiec is manning the Student Senate Service Chair next year. It will mark his third year in the Student Senate. Fitz runs both cross country and distance track in the winter and spring. He is also a Pallbearer and Labre leader, an Eye contributor, a Magic: The Gathering club student moderator, and a member of the National Honor Society. In terms of duties, Fitz handles all service initiatives, with the Christmas on Campus operations being the largest undertaking. With this coordination, Fitz hopes to “enhance our unique culture of faith, service, and justice at St. Ignatius High School” through his role as the Service Chair. He loves the school pizza, and he leaves you with this quote: “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him” (John 13:15-16).

Seamus Walsh

Seamus Patrick Walsh will serve as the Senate Student Life Chair. His realm will include intramurals, campus events, and student-focused events, among others.  This fall will mark his fourth year in the Senate. Seamus plays volleyball and is involved in Pallbearers, The Eye, Yearbook, Academic Challenge, Ignatius Companions, the PCC, NHS, and intramurals. He hopes to make an impact by elevating the enjoyment level of all students — those athletically inclined or not. With fun events and interactive engagements, Seamus hopes to make the year in the Senate pleasant for all students. His favorite Rade item is probably the cookies or the Raspberry Arizona Iced Tea. Seamus’ valuable quote, from The Catcher in the Rye, is as follows: “The mark of the immature man is that he wants to die nobly for a cause, while the mark of the mature man is that he wants to live humbly for one.” 

 

Eye On the Guardians: May 2023 Edition

By Jack Brennan ’24

Just a few weeks ago, the Cleveland Guardians began their second season under their new moniker. They look to follow up their success in 2022, finishing with a record of 92-70, handily winning the AL Central Division and taking the mighty Yankees to five games in the ALDS.

The 2023 team is headlined by All-Star José Ramírez, who finished 4th in MVP voting in 2022, All-Star Andrés Giménez, who, prior to the season received a seven  year, hundred-million dollar contract extension, and Steven Kwan, the 2022 rookie who came 3rd in A.L. Rookie of the Year voting. The team is managed by Terry Francona, who is entering his 11th year as manager of the club, and his 23rd year as a Major League manager.

Thus far, the season has been a series of ups and downs. In their first fifteen games, they would post an A.L. Central leading record of 9-6; however, they’d stumble from there on out, losing twelve of their next seventeen games and falling behind the Twins for first in the division. Cold bats would be the main cause of the faltering as once-hot players like José Ramírez, Oscar Gonzalez, and Will Brennan would struggle at the plate, struggling to score enough runs to win games, even behind stellar pitching performances.

One of the bright spots so far has been the calling up of 24-year-old Tanner Bibee from AAA Columbus. In his two starts so far he’s 1-0 with a no-decision, tallying thirteen strikeouts in his eleven innings of work while only allowing three earned runs.

While the beginning of the season has been characterized as a disappointment by many, things may be looking up for the club as they recently won a series against the division rival Minnesota Twins and look to carry that momentum into their upcoming serieses against the red-hot Tigers, the struggling Angels, and the division rival White Sox.

Something Rotten!

The cast of Something Rotten! hard at work rehearsing for this year's spring musical.

by Gabe Guido ’23

Prepare to sit back, relax, and enjoy the Harlequins’ new musical this spring, Something Rotten!, a comedy set in the year 1600 during the height of the Renaissance. It is about two brothers, Nick and Nigel Bottom, and their journey in creating the first musical to rival the current theatrical power of the time — none other than William Shakespeare himself. These siblings go through myriad encounters to get their show on the road: from a crazy oracle, to prideful Puritans, to eggs.  There is something for everybody in this musical even if you’re not normally into the Renaissance setting.

Seeing the musical is not only fun in and of itself but also supports some of your fellow students. As a Harlequin myself, I am always proud to see my Ignatian brothers in the crowd, and it means so much to the cast and crew to see people out there in the audience enjoying the show into which we have put so much effort. Additionally, the Breen Center is an incredibly state-of-the-art facility and, along with the excellent direction and acting, has cemented the Saint Ignatius High School theater program as one of the best in the Cleveland area. By seeing the play, you support not only the cast on stage but all of the crew who worked to create the set, sound, props, costumes, and lighting as well as the pit musicians who have tirelessly practiced to accompany the cast with live music.

Be sure to purchase tickets online for either March 24th, 25th, 26th, 31st, or April 1st. As a Saint Ignatius student, tickets are merely five dollars, a bargain price for such a high quality production that you won’t get anywhere else. Whether it be just you, or with a friend, mom, dad, grandma, grandpa, or sibling, this musical is for everyone!

Members of the crew working behind the scenes to build the set for Something Rotten!.

Andor: Is It Any Good And/or Should I Watch It?

"Andor." TV Insider, https://www.tvinsider.com/show/andor/. 2/28/23

by Hans Engel ’23

The Post-Sequel Star Wars era has been unorthodox since TV shows have dominated, and we’ve seen a wild mix of live action and cartoon in The Mandalorian, The Clone Wars Season 7, The Bad Batch, The Book of Boba Fett, Star Wars: Visions, Kenobi, Tales of the Jedi, and finally Andor. To the average Star Wars fan the plethora of content could be difficult to navigate. Everybody’s seen The Mandalorian, but should you watch something like Tales of the Jedi, or does that make you a nerd? Are Star Wars cartoons important to watch, or are they unnecessary content for kids? In this fray, Andor has mostly gone unseen. Many fans don’t even know it exists, and Lucasfilm seems reluctant to put out a half decent ad for the show. Whatever your concerns, though, you should give this show a chance. 

Whatever your opinion of modern Star Wars is, something that most everyone agrees on is that two things, cinematography and music, will almost always be exceptional. The good news is that Andor is no exception. While its soundtrack fails to achieve the catchyness of The Mandalorian theme, it does do an excellent job of serving the atmosphere of the story. The show’s cinematography, however, is most assuredly the best out of any Star Wars TV series and stands right along with the best scenes in the movies. The standout scene, when a Star Wars version of a meteor shower comes to fruition, absolutely blew my mind. It echoes the fantastic cinematography in Rogue One, where scenes such as the Death Star rising above Scarif or when Darth Vader’s red lightsaber terrifyingly luminates a dark hallway of a rebel ship similarly enraptured me. 

Andor’s characters are also almost all completely original, something that takes guts and pays off for the viewer. Granted, not all the characters are exceptional, and the writing definitely takes a page out of Rogue One, but it’s incredibly fresh compared to the fan service often deployed in The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett. I’ve been a fan of Diego Luna since his portrayal of cartel lord Miguel Felix Gallardo in Narcos: Mexico, and I find his performance to be mostly top notch in Andor. Other standouts are Andy Serkis as Kino Loy, Kyle Soeller as Syril Karn, Denise Glough as Derdra Meero, Alex Lawther as Karis Nemik, and Geniveve O’ Reilly as Mon Mothma. These supporting characters flesh the story out, and their dynamic performance means that every scene and plotline is extremely gratifying to watch. However, one character is a stand-out: Stellan Skarsgård’s performance as Luthen Rael is absolutely unreal, and I find myself rewatching almost every scene he’s in. Luthen is without a doubt one of the coolest, most harcore characters Star Wars has ever seen, which is expanded by the fact that he is completely original to this show. The duality of his life in the upper class of Coruscant and his dirty role in the creation of the Rebellion is, in my opinion, the show’s most interesting concept. His monologue in episode ten is my favorite scene in the show and perhaps one of my favorite scenes in all of Star Wars. His “I share my dreams with ghosts” line is undoubtedly one of the most “wizard” things any Star Wars character has ever said. Luthen is even easily my most anticipated part of season two. 

Andor’s plot is extremely mature for a Star Wars series, and if the viewer can find the slowest parts palatable, then the payoff is glorious. Andor is the type of show that will make you wait, but it will reward you fabulously. The three episode arc, with two build up episodes and a payoff episode format, is one that I can appreciate because even its slowest scenes are at least somewhat well made and definitely watchable. Still, my favorite parts of Andor are the action-packed finales. While Watching Andor, whenever you think something drastic is going to happen, it most certainly does. The show has zero lightsabers, something that — although was concerning at first — I began to appreciate. The characters in Andor lack the Jedi or even Sith sense of honor and will shoot at first at first thought, giving a scumbag early Han Solo energy. It informs one of the show’s major themes about the dark side of the rebellion, and adds to the gritty, dark feel of the series. Another appreciated part about Andor is how pretty much every arc is better than the last. Although my favorite happens to be the third arc, the show speeds up at every turn. Each new arc comes with new locations, characters, and themes to prevent the show from ever getting stale. 

Andor was a pleasant surprise for me. The Star Wars universe had just begun  to seem stale when this show came on to the scene and upset the status quo. It’s something that its ties to Rogue One, and its different style ultimately should not have come as a shocking surprise to fans of this film. Although it’s not perfect, with some minorly annoying characters and slight pacing issues, the show’s strides earn it the title of criminally underrated. I could easily write three times as much as this on different reasons why I love Andor, but I think the best way to experience that is by watching the show itself. When Disney seemed to appreciate fan service and marketable characters (I still love you Baby Yoda) over plot development, Andor breathed new life into Star Wars, for which I am extremely grateful.

Overall, I would give Andor a 9.6 out of 10.

Saint Ignatius Locker Poll

by Kelly Coleman ’23

In the latest edition of The Eye, we sent out a poll asking the student body about lockers and their usefulness. Today, we are here to share the results with you. They are as follows:


I guess size really doesn’t matter

 

At the end of the survey, we asked students to share any additional thoughts on their lockers with us. Overwhelmingly, these responses reconfirmed the results of the other questions: most students rarely, if ever, use their lockers. Most cited their locker’s inconvenient location or the switch from nine periods a day to only four as reasons for their neglect. Others said that having a car to store things in made lockers obsolete. Buried among the piles of rejection, however, were a few desperate pleas to be heard. All one student could muster to say was:

I use it everyday please don't eliminate them.

Another simply put:

Don't eliminate I need space for sports

We received many other responses that all expressed the same sentiment: we rely on lockers. It seems that, despite general indifference, lockers retain a dedicated and fervent following among some in the student body. As the administration reconsiders the use of lockers in the coming years, who knows what might happen? Maybe lockers will be phased out, or perhaps reduced in number and switched to an apply-to-have system. One thing remains true: the administration always wants to hear from students. Your responses to this poll or making your voice heard in the future may be the very thing that sways the future of lockers.

To send everyone off today, I would like to share one particularly insightful response that we received with you all:

I have not used ‘my own locker’ in my past 3 years at Ignatius. Every year. I have found a nice open locker on the first floor of different buildings and kept my things there. I always keep my lock in my bookbag, so I can just throw my things in my locker and lock it up for as long as I need. The ‘most convenient’ locker spot I’ve been assigned was on the third floor of the main building. What a great spot! I used a locker on the first floor of Loyola that entire year. I used to keep a lot of my text books that had digital versions in the lockers that were open closest to the teacher’s classrooms, so that I could leave it there and not lose it at home. Lockers at Ignatius are a great thing!

Something Needs to Change with the Perception of the Ignatius Freshman

by Jackson Kenny ’26

“Don’t be the 3:05 guy.”

As I have acclimated myself to Saint Ignatius High School this year as a freshman, that’s a phrase I have heard countless times from many upperclassmen, faculty, and staff. 

This phrase is valid, and I understand the intent behind it. The reality is that many Saint Ignatius freshmen don’t bother to immerse themselves in the school’s myriad extracurricular opportunities aside from some sort of sport, and thus the need often exists for reminders like this. 

But what about the 6:00 or 7:00 or 8:00 guy? We don’t hear as much mention of these students and how they’re managing the school/life imbalance that can result from a commitment to extracurriculars.

I have been fortunate enough to take advantage of many extracurricular opportunities at Saint Ignatius: the Harlequins, Policy Debate, and writing for The Eye are activities that require a significant amount of time and a significant investment of energy both of which can be difficult to muster when combined with a course load filled with honors and AP classes. 

The ramifications of all of this can mean different things for my fellow freshmen whom I know are also working to maintain a healthy school/life balance, but for myself, at least, it results in days of non-stop activity leading to a mental and physical burnout that makes accomplishing homework and even leisurely activities over the weekend impossible.  Instead, I have to lay down and do absolutely nothing in a desperate attempt to regain lost energy, thereby becoming the 3:05 guy I dreaded to be, in a way.

My sentiments aren’t shared by every freshman involved in multiple, energy-draining activities at Saint Ignatius. Miles Juhasz ‘26, the other Saint Ignatius freshman in the cast of Something Rotten!, the spring musical, spoke to me about how he’s managed to find a balance: “Although [the show] can cause stress by making [me] tired or nervous about getting everything done in time for the show, it has still caused me to grow as an actor and a person in general, because I get to spend my time with amazing people.” However, it could be a good time for Saint Ignatius to re-evaluate the way it perceives the work/life balance of incoming freshmen. Nothing would make me happier than if Saint Ignatius were to take precautionary measures against freshman burnout while still promoting extracurricular involvement. 

As I have learned throughout my time here thus far, Saint Ignatius High School is a wonderful place filled with so many wonderful people and opportunities. I encourage any freshman that hasn’t gotten significantly involved with extracurricular activities to do so. Still, the Saint Ignatius community could be more aware of the struggles that freshmen who listen to the constant pleas to get involved face for simply following instructions and find ways to acknowledge and be more supportive of the realities those students face in their daily lives.

DiploCats Keep the Streak Going at CLEIMUN

by Soham Shah ’24

Last weekend, the Saint Ignatius Model UN Team attended the CLEIMUN Conference hosted by Saint Edward High School. CLEIMUN was a huge success for the DiploCats with Patrick Laudolff ‘24 and Rohan Jhaveri ‘25 taking home Best Delegate awards. Soham Shah ‘24, Shivam Pandya ‘24, and Fitz Lokiec ‘24 won the Highly Commended Award; additionally, Shivam Pandya and Fitz Lokiec won Best Draft Resolution. Finally, Soham Shah, Shivam Pandya, Patrick Laudolff, Fitz Lokiec, and Charlie Brady ‘25 won the Best Crisis Delegation award.

At CLEIMUN, the committees included DISEC (Disarmament and International Security Committee), HRC (Human Rights Committee), WHO (World Health Organization), Economics and Environment Committee, Political Committee, and Security Council. After two  days of debate in these committees, the third  day was a full crisis with over 200 participants from several local schools including St. Edward, St. Joseph Academy, Mentor, Archbishop Hoban, Hathaway Brown, Bay Village, Chardon, and several others.

Next, the club is traveling to Michigan State University for our last major overnight conference of the year. Anyone, regardless of experience, can attend this conference. To acquire a spot, you need to attend the meetings on Mondays in Mr. Foster’s room (SC102) during the activities period. Information and forms will be given out in the next few meetings. There are several available spots for the conference, so invite your friends and classmates. The 45 spots we have will likely fill up following the success of MUNUM, so we urge you to attend these meetings and turn in your forms early. Please contact any of the Secretariat (Shivam Pandya ‘24, Soham Shah ‘24, Fitz Lokiec ‘24, and Patrick Laudolff ‘24) regarding any questions you may have.

For further informational purposes, Model UN is a competitive simulation of real-world institutions, with students acting as delegates for countries, corporations, and individuals to draft resolutions and work together to solve central issues. It develops writing and oratory skills, like persuasive speaking and fosters interpersonal skills while providing a fun and educational experience for students to learn about real world issues. The Saint Ignatius Model UN team also promotes Catholic Social Teaching and teaches students on how to shape the world in Christ’s image through diplomacy and other peaceful means.

The Return of Intramural Basketball: New Season, New Rules

Senior Justin King is ready to take on all challengers in this year's Intramural Basketball tournament.

by Simon Hajjar ’23

For the past 6 months, student hoopers have been sharpening their skills during their activity periods and even after school in Murphy Gym. Now, as of February 21st, the time for practice has officially come to an end and students are eager to showcase their basketball prowess in their quest to be crowned Intramural Basketball Champions.

The upcoming season is sure to be one for the books, and the stakes have never been higher. With over forty-five teams  — including the star-studded faculty team —  and games held practically everyday in Murphy and in Sullivan Gym, the competitive spirit of Intramural Basketball has returned with a whole new level of intensity. Due to the sheer volume of participation, each individual grade level will have their own division and bracket. Each team will face off against other members in their division in five-on-five full court games; playoffs will be determined by early April. The winning team will get the coveted title of Intramural Basketball Champions – complete with eternal bragging rights – plus a highly-coveted free Intramural Champion t-shirt.

Perhaps one of the most intriguing parts of this year’s Intramural Basketball season are the new rules that have been put in place. As a result of the new flooring in Sullivan Gym, even the best three-point shooters in the school are rendered powerless as Mr. Martin has announced that every basket scored in Sullivan will count as only 2 points. However, in Murphy Gym distance shooting is essential as all baskets are fair game. This new rule will certainly add an interesting dynamic to the game. Additionally, points scored/allowed will no longer be recorded within a team’s record, a stat that had been integral in the past for creating standings and used as a tiebreaker for playoff contention; now tiebreakers will be determined by the 50/50 fate of a coin toss. The unique set of rules and regulations is sure to raise the intensity of the game and create unforeseen challenges for teams. No matter the outcome though, victory will ultimately come down to a lot of hard work, endurance and teamwork. Whether you’re ready to hit the courts and prove your mettle or looking to sit on the sidelines and show your support, you’ll definitely want to attend some of the games.

The Saint Ignatius High School Intramural Basketball season promises to provide a great source of entertainment for students, whether it be partaking in the competition or spectating. With off-field rivalries within grades reignited, new rivalries forming, and plenty of upsets already, the season is already off to a hot start.

Senior Dylan Murphy intimidates would-be competitors with his massive verticals leaving #10 speechless.

DiploCats Represent SIHS at MUNUM 2023

Mssrs. Corrigan '69 and Foster pose with student delegates at MUNUM 2023.

by Soham Shah ’24

The Saint Ignatius Model UN Club attended the University of Michigan’s Model United Nations Conference from January 12th-15th. In addition to staying overnight at a hotel and enjoying its amenities (swimming pool, gym, etc.), students were able to walk around the campus, eat at local restaurants, and attend a dance. The conference was highlighted by Fitz Lokiec ‘24 winning an Outstanding Delegate award and Patrick Laudolff ‘24 winning an Honorable Mention.

Model UN is a simulation and competition in which students act as a delegate for countries, corporations, and high-powered individuals. They give speeches, work with other delegates, and write resolutions to solve their committee’s central issue using parliamentary procedure. At MUNUM (Model UN University of Michigan), the topics included UN-HABITAT, FAO, IMF, SOCHUM, African Union, HUAC, CCPCJ, UNSC, North Yemen Civil War, World War I, Ortega’s Cabinet, Persian-Greco Wars, Ad-Hoc, and the International Press Corps.

The club is going to one more major overnight conference this year — likely at Michigan State University. Anyone, regardless of experience, is welcome to attend this conference. In order to get a spot, it is required that you attend the meetings on Mondays in Mr. Foster’s room (SC102) during the activities period. There are several spots available for the conference, including for those who want to join now, so bring your friends and head down to Mr. Foster’s room to sign up for MSUMUN. Contact any of the Secretariat (Shivam Pandya ‘24, Soham Shah ‘24, Fitz Lokiec ‘24, and Patrick Laudolff ‘24) regarding any questions you may have.

Student Locker Usage Poll

by The Eye Staff

As part of a larger campus renovation plan (about which more will be said in an upcoming issue), the school administration is reconsidering how we use lockers at Saint Ignatius High School. Please take a minute to complete this Eye Poll to let us know your thoughts about your student locker.

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About The Eye

The Eye is the student-led publication of Saint Ignatius High School.

Editors-in-Chief: Kelly Coleman '23, Young Kim '23 & Aidan Oliss '23