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Mr. Turska spices up the cafeteria with new foods, plates, and prices

By DAVID McDONALD ‘18

When Saint Ignatius students come back to school every August, everyone is looking for what’s new. And the most important updates every year, for a lot of the students anyways, are found in the cafeteria. This year, hungry students may have noticed some stations were moved around, new plates and cups, and some new products added. But the most discussed change might be the price increase on certain foods, particularly at the burger station.

This summer the price of the standard quarter-pounder was bumped up to $2.00, noticeably more expensive than $1.75, the price the past few years. When asked about this price increase, David Turska, Director of Campus Dining, said the markup on burgers was due to a few factors: the natural increase of food and labor costs, higher-quality ingredients, and more local food providers. Turska stated that students should be excited about the new burgers because they are locally sourced and are of very good quality. But he also boasted that other items in the cafeteria were less expensive this year, like the beloved chicken patty.

Not all students are pleased with the new pricing. Junior Patrick Eppich told the Eye that he has found it more difficult to find an affordable lunch in the cafeteria. “I used to be able to get a $3.50 meal every day, now it’s harder put together a full meal when there is no meal option that day,” said Eppich. Turska said the removal of the everyday $3.50 meal was due to low demand for the option. “The pizza station and the action station were the most popular options for students,” said Turska, noting that the new layout of the cafeteria, with those options on opposite sides, reflects that. Turska also asserted that students can still find a meal for $3.50 by buying a few different items in the cafeteria. The new sandwich cooler featuring Boar’s Head meats might be one place to look for some of those items.

Bins for compost and washable dish ware in the senior lounge

Food was not the only thing that got modified over the summer. The cafeteria made changes to the dining-ware to make plates and cups fully compostable. It’s part of an effort to make campus dining less wasteful. These updates resulted in a 400% increase so far in the amount of trash being composted in the school. And more compostable items are to be introduced this year. These items in addition to the new reusable plates have eliminated much of the waste from school lunches.

A lot of the updates to the cafeteria should please students and administrators by focusing on sustainability and giving the students the food they buy the most, with more efficiency and higher quality. But students looking for balanced meals on a budget might find it a little harder to obtain their old favorites.

36 students from the senior class are recognized for their performances on the PSAT

By PATRICK SWEET ‘19

On Wednesday, October 19, 2016, over 3.5 million high school juniors across the nation were tested on their skills in reading, writing, and mathematics for less than four hours. Some desired to get it over with to enjoy the remainder of their day off, while others got butterflies, knowing the gravity and importance of each mark they put down on their paper…but only 35,000 students would come out in the top 1% of test takers.

Congratulations to the following 34 students and of the class of 2018 who were recently recognized as National Merit Scholars, as well as two National Hispanic Scholars: (National Hispanic Scholars*)

Aymin Bahhur, Alan Bahr, Andrew Boldy, Matthew Borden, Colin Burns, Andrew Chesney, Gerard Daher, David DeSalvo, Michael Fornes, Richard Hofstra, Brian Karim, Bennett Kavlick, Ray Kman, Aleksei Kundla*, Jacob Leksan, Adam Lis*, Orest Mahlay, David McDonald, William McGuire, Joseph O’Donnell, Gergely Pal, Caleb Palagyi, Maxwell Pike, Bryce Polito, Akash Ramalingam, Alexander Rambasek, Beck Saine, Ethan Sanders, Isaac Smith, Jack Snyder, Christopher Uhran, Cullen Viancourt, Samuel Watters, and Philip Zuccaro.

Assistant Principal for Academics, Mr. Joseph Ptak, remarked on the accomplishment of the young men, saying, “We are very proud of the 34 National Merit scholars in the Class of 2018 and the hard work, determination and dedication that this award represents. This achievement marks them among the top scholars in the state of Ohio and across the country. I can’t help but be hopeful for the future when I think about how these students, along with all their classmates, can make a difference in our world with the many wonderful gifts God has given them.”

When asked if he had any advice, Caleb Palagyi recommended that students put maximum effort into homework each night, making these tests much less worrisome. Palagyi says that he never intended to go into debt for college, now a feasible aspiration.

Give these fellow classmates a pat on the back when you run across them in the hall. Best of luck is wished to the rest of the school on their upcoming standardized tests.

Former NFL star revisits his roots

By JUSTIN ADLER ‘18

When people hear the name “LeCharles Bentley” they often associate him with his storied careers with Coach Kyle’s Wildcat football team, Jim Tressel’s Ohio State Buckeyes, as well as the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints. However, most people are unaware of his philanthropic efforts towards our very own Saint Ignatius High School.

On his very first day of training camp with the Cleveland Browns, Bentley suffered a career-ending injury in his leg that would not only threaten his chance of walking effectively, but his life itself. After reaching a settlement with the Browns franchise, he was influenced by his mother, Verneda, to give back to the school credited with his academic and spiritual formation. His contributions benefitted the fifth grade leadership program named in his honor as well as an endowment in his mother’s name to the Reaching Magis program.

“He does it for AMDG, the Greater Glory of God.”

This initiative, led by Jason Reed ‘95, Director of Diversity and Inclusion, prepares 5th through 8th grade students for the rigorous academic, social, and spiritual obstacles they will inevitably face throughout their high school careers. Bentley, along with an elect committee, selects young men who have demonstrated a desire to grow and excel in their academic, spiritual, and social lives, to receive financial assistance here at Saint Ignatius. Currently, there are six students on campus who possess this very scholarship, and he has chosen two more eligible freshman for the honor. Because of Mr. Bentley, 13 students have earned the chance to attend this institution and to better themselves as young men for others.

Additionally, Bentley founded the very first offensive line academy where he teaches aspiring young linemen proven techniques with respect to strength and on-field performance. He returned to campus just a few months prior to give a two hour seminar and on-field instructions to Northeast Ohio high school linemen and coaches about these methods. However, for Bentley, his lessons extend far beyond the gridiron; his number one goal for mentoring youths is to teach them valuable lessons they can apply throughout their lifetime. When asked about the rationale behind Bentley’s philanthropic efforts, Mr. Reed states, “He does it for AMDG, the Greater Glory of God.”

School administration shakes up the schedule

By SAM WATTERS ‘18

On Wednesday, September 13, the school introduced a new schedule to their already expansive list of timetables – the common period. This 63 minute break between third and fourth periods allowed each class to attend separate programming mid-day, with freshmen staying in homerooms for a survey, sophomores meeting in Fr. Sullivan gymnasium for a “class meeting,” juniors in the Breen Center for just one in a long line of check-ins by the college counselors, and seniors celebrating Mass in St. Mary’s Chapel.

The common period bears an obvious similarity to the “late start” schedule, which in years past has been used for class meetings beginning at 8 a.m. and ending an hour later. While the late start schedule did occasionally allow some classes to sleep in an hour later, the common period has several advantages over it according to Mr. Ptak, Assistant Principal of Academics. “We have found that having Mass at the beginning or end of the day isn’t as effective as having it in the middle of the day,” he said, “The same is true of the meetings, assemblies, and activities that might happen during a common period. Having them at the beginning or end of the day tends to minimize their importance in the eyes of many people.”

As for the future of the common period, even the faculty remains uncertain. According to Mr. Ptak, “There is an ongoing discussion about whether it should be daily, weekly, bi-weekly or monthly. The frequency of its use will have a big role in determining what can be done during a common period.” In the event of the intriguing daily common period, it would often be used as a sort of communal free period, during which “clubs could meet, teachers could schedule review sessions, or students could just go shoot hoops in the gym.” A less frequent common period would likely mean it would remain as a time slot for class meetings, rallies, and Masses.

While it is currently unclear how the common period will shake up schedules, Mr. Ptak was sure to add that whatever changes are made may not be permanent. “The way we may or may not use it this year or next year could be very different from how it might be used three years from now or thirteen years from now,” he said, “Saint Ignatius changes in ways both subtle and profound each and every year.”

Chris Bishop takes an unfortunate situation and challenges every notion of what a bookbag should be

By JORDAN ASIMES ‘18

You may have seen it being dragged up and down the stairs, or being filmed on a senior’s snapchat story. It may have made you question your existence entirely, or maybe, just maybe, it inspired you to be a better version of yourself. I am of course talking about the strawberry red carry-on bag that has been roaming the halls of Saint Ignatius early this fall semester.

I’ll set the scene: It’s just another rainy day in late August at Saint Ignatius High School. Just as routine as any other day, Mr. Corrigan starts his eighth period AP European History Class by putting the notes up on the smartboard. On this routine day, Chris Bishop ‘18 lays his bright, red airplane carryon flat on its back, unzips the top zipper, for what feels like an eternity, flips open the top, and pulls out his notebook. Finally, Chris Bishop is ready to take notes.

The story behind the big red bag can be traced all the way to the wild land of Nicaragua. Back in the month of July, on the Saint Ignatius school mission trip to the poverty stricken country, a man swiped Chris’s bag while the students were playing soccer. Fast forward a couple months and school is starting.

Mr. Bishop was still without a bag to carry around at school and that’s when it hit him: what if I change the game and take a carry on luggage bag to school? Over the first couple days, this radiant, red bag, the size of a mini-fridge, was dragged everywhere. When asked what the greatest pros and cons of the bag were, Chris said that although the bag holds everything, it is very difficult to take up and down the stairs.

While he has since gotten a new “regular” backpack, echoes of the red bag still linger. However, Chris asks that his peers respect his choice to return to a conventional backpack and not ask him what happened to the red bag. In Chris’s own words, he says “It was a good run.”

Mr. Bishop asked me to leave you with one thought, “A photon turns up at check in for a flight with no baggage. The check in agent says “traveling light?” The photon says “Yes, I am.”

Stay golden Bishop, Stay Golden.

Student Senate sponsors the most highly attended dance in school history

By IAN FLYNN ‘18

This year’s homecoming was the most attended in Saint Ignatius’ history, with 1,051 students attending dance, totaling to over 2,100 people. With the help of Student Senate, the halls and gyms of Ignatius traveled back in time, as posters of the decades going back to the 50’s lined the hallways with giant peace symbols and other pictures. The DJ played a variation of songs from time periods and languages, ranging from the beloved “September” by Earth Wind and Fire, to the ecstatic “Heads will Roll” by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs.

The highlight of the night, no doubt, was the assortment of students’ outfits. From cheetah print, suede, seersucker, poker theme, corduroy, jazz print, and plaid, the dance saw it all. As students entered the gym, however, these blazers were thrown to the side, and the dance begun. Students attempted to impress their dates as they hit the nae nae and them folks.

Mitchell’s Ice Cream gave students the option to take a break and buy a sweet treat in order to re-energize their blood flow before getting back to busting moves on the dance floor. In addition, the inflatable jousting was a literal smash hit, as Gabe Oliss ‘18 broke his nose.

Overall, besides one casualty, the 2017 homecoming dance was a successful night to remember and one for the history books.

Spotlight on the Artists in Residence

By LEO VILLA-FORTE ‘19

They are an important part of the Saint Ignatius culture, making our campus as interesting as possible. They’ve been working behind the scenes to produce artwork to be featured across campus. You may have noticed, for example, a painting in the Main Building of the book cover of “Their Eyes Were Watching God”. Or maybe you’ve seen the painting of “The Catcher in the Rye”, another great work by A.I.R.

The EYE interviewed Sophomores Joe Stanfar and Dev Patel to get some insight into the process of their work. The reason they are painting book covers now is that as popular books are read in English classes, teachers can make requests to the moderator of A.I.R., Ms. Burrows, for a painting, and they’ll make a rendition of the cover. For their painting of “Their Eyes Were Watching God”, for example, A.I.R. is painting the main character with a field in the background.

Plenty of work goes in to making these works of art. A.I.R. works every Wednesday. Currently they’re working on three book covers, but the artwork A.I.R. produces for Saint Ignatius is very diversified, and isn’t limited to just book covers. From the Freshman cover of the Yearbook last year to prayer cards for the feast of St. Ignatius, which featured a picture of Monserrat, these artists have been spreading impactful works of art throughout the Saint Ignatius community.

Seniors attempt to revive the student section

By CHRIS LARSEN ‘18

I love Ignatius. I always have. I can remember coming to the open house with my brother when I was in 6th grade, already making mental blueprints to myself about what I would do when I got here. Needless to say, almost everything I held near and dear to myself as an 11-year old has changed. Almost.

The thing I have wanted to do since I first was introduced to Saint Ignatius High School 7 years ago was lead the student section. I know, I know, it sounds frivolous to have that be my yearning for years and years, but hear me out. In what other context in life can you scream at the top of your lungs in a crowded area and have nobody look at you oddly? How many places on this Earth are you not only allowed, but encouraged to dress like a buffoon or put colored paint on your body or spend hours standing in cold, metal bleachers with nothing on but short shorts?

This is what fascinates me about the student section. It is a place where all animosities are put aside, and you can truly enjoy being a high school student for a change. Sometimes we get caught up in all the testing, reading, problem solving, and essay writing that we forget that our goal is not just to go to college, but to grow as human beings and as people. There is no better way, in my eyes, to truly judge the state of the camaraderie of students in a school than by looking at their student section. The louder they are, the more the students trust and enjoy each other. The quieter they are, the more reserved and distant the students feel among classmates. That is why the state of our student section pains me so.

When I went to the 2011 State Championship game, I could not stop looking over at the sea of Ignatius kids screaming and yelling as loud as they could for as long as they could, no doubt spurring their teammates to a State Title. Flash forward to this past year’s state championship game, where the section of parents half the size of the students were twice as loud, not to mention being absolutely blown out of the water by St. X’s student section. Some of our own leaders could not even sacrifice one moment of being cool to give their brothers that one final push to a state title. I hoped this would change this year, and it did.

For about one game.

But now, after the leaders, most of the seniors, and about another row or two of students, all I see are kids milling around trying to find the next girl to “wheel” while their brothers are pouring their hearts out into the game they love, for the school they love. I understand that, for an underclassman who might not have the social opportunities upperclassmen have, a football game is a good way to interact with the opposite sex. But I implore you to take a look at the kids at the very front. Not only do they cheer until their voices are long gone, but they enjoy doing it. Socializing is great, but in the right context.

As someone who has played in games that have had anywhere from 20 to 1,000 people, believe me when I say that a loud crowd makes a massive difference. The chills down your spine when you hear the crowd roar after a score, the adrenaline boost when you hear someone scream your name from the stands, and the shift in mindset you get when you remember that hundreds of people paid to watch you play something you have been practicing for years, are things that drive people to the ends of the Earth trying to capture once that moment is over.

I don’t know what the disconnect is between these students and their brothers on the field, but all I can do is say one thing: you are not too cool to cheer. Nobody is. Senior or freshman, tall or short, skinny or chunky, nobody is too cool. And if you think you are, the exit is right over there.

Allow me to hop off my soapbox for a minute and bring this rambling, spitball of musings to a close. I am not one to be upset easily. I pride myself on being an easygoing guy who is calm and respectful in any situation. But when I see my friends get up at 6:00 A.M. for months in the summer to workout, followed by months of two-a-days, and hours of gameday preparations, hours that could be spent studying, traveling, or just being a kid, it infuriates me to no end to see kids with their backs turned chatting up some girl a row behind them.

Bring back the Ignatius I know. Bring back the Ignatius I love. We as a student body are better than this. I can do little more than set an example and hope you follow; it is up to you what type of student section, and school, we are. One of camaraderie, fellowship, and honor? Or one of complacency, separation, and disparagement?

You decide.

Mr. Christian Sanders ’10 helps deliver new daughter

By TIM ZVONCHECK ‘19

This past summer on August 2nd, Mr. Christian Sanders ‘10 and his wife were blessed with the birth of their daughter, Free Sanders. It all started when Mr. Sanders had to leave the Louisville mission trip, only to find out that Amber, Free Sander’s mother, was in false labor. “But as one day you may come to learn children are born when it’s convenient for them not for anyone else,” Christian Sanders stated, and rightfully so.

When Amber got home from work, she said she was having contractions and was ready to have the baby. As they got ready to leave for the hospital, her water broke. They left the house, with her doula following close behind. However, it soon became clear that the hospital was too far and a Sunoco gas station would become her place of birth. The family pulled in the parking lot and asked for help from a nearby police officer, who called an ambulance. Minutes later, Amber began to give birth to her daughter in the seat of their car, with the help of Christian and India Rouge, the doula. Christian said, “In the moment of actual delivery I was fearless.”

Free Sanders was born on August 2nd, 2017 at 10:05 PM, while the ambulance arrived at 10:10. “After she was born breathing and eating is when my nerves hit me and I couldn’t stop shaking,” Mr. Sanders said regarding what was going through his mind. It would of course be natural to realize your nerves at this point, knowing that you just assisted your wife in the delivery of your baby. “I thank God for my family and I thank all of you for your prayers and well wishes,” Christian said to summarize the experience.

Football Preview: The road to 12

By Patrick Sweet ‘19

Many heads hung low on the ride back home from The Horseshoe late on December 2, 2016. The Saint Ignatius football team was stopped just inches short of what could have been the school’s 12th state title.

Regardless, the Football Cats will bounce back. With several returning starting seniors, the team brings both talent and experience, including legendary Coach Chuck Kyle ‘69 who is now entering his 35th year as head coach of the football program.

“‘Hopefully, we won’t waste a failure.’ Kyle quoted Alabama Coach Nick Saban. “The offseason was motivated for hard work,” he remarked. The coaching staff, as well as Lifting Coach Rubino, have put in countless hours over the summer working towards perfection.

Veteran kicker Matthew Trickett ‘18 elaborated on the team’s excellent chemistry this season, “We have plenty of great athletes who will achieve amazing things, but what really makes us strong is the bond that we have built as brothers. That will carry our team this year.”

Although the team took several out-of-state trips in previous years, they will play all their games in-state, with just one distant road game at Cincinnati Elder on September 23rd.

“We have plenty of great athletes who will achieve amazing things, but what really makes us strong is the bond that we have built as brothers. That will carry our team this year.”

-Matthew Trickett ‘18

Mark Bobinski ‘18, a team captain, has awaited the student section. “There’s nothing like getting the chills when you score in front of them and they all go nuts!”

About the schedule, Coach Kyle says “Our schedule is one of the most difficult in the country. We have a daunting challenge, and the games will be intense.”

“We’re facing a very tough schedule this year. Each week will be a challenge,” stated Connor Kennedy ‘18, team captain and Holy Cross College commit.

The team is in good hands on both sides of the ball, under renowned offensive coordinator Nick Restifo as well as the disciplined defensive coordinator Ryan Franzinger ‘02. The experienced coaching staff includes two new varsity additions this season—Jack Hyland ‘14 and Chad Aerni ‘12, two veterans of the football program.

Kyle says that the strongest point of the Wildcat’s lineup this year is the dominant and experienced offensive line, including Darian Kinnard ‘18 and captain Jack Jamieson ‘18.

“The line will be key to a successful running and passing game,” says Kyle. He is also confident in the team’s kicker, Matthew Trickett ‘18, who is able to drill in even 50-yard attempts—a rare feat in high school football. Additionally, the team’s several veteran receivers, including 4×100 meter dash speedster Connor Kennedy ‘18, will play a major role offensively.

Defensively, several major seniors may have graduated, but this gives several potential starters the chance to prove themselves at both the linebacker and
D-Line positions.

Tickets are cheaper than ever, and admission to home games are free to all wild-card carrying students and faculty. So get out there and enjoy a classic Wildcat football game while cheering on your fellow classmates as they chase the school’s 12th state title.

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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