St. Charles Preparatory School January 2010

TheThe CarolianCarolian Official Newspaper Publication of St. Charles Preparatory School

QUICK Haiti Tragedy Is Another Call NEWS: for Long Term Efforts  St. Charles raises Will Ryan ‘10 over $11,000 for relief in Haiti! On January 12th, a massive, to rise as relief workers strug- The American Red Cross has 7.0—magnitude earthquake gle to pull survivors from the raised $25 million through  St. Charles hockey struck the country of Haiti, near rubble. More than 200,000 lost donations sent in by text team beats the the capital city of Port-au- their lives in only nine days. messaging. Actor George bears for the Prince. Haiti is an island nation Fresh water, food, and gasoline Clooney has teamed with second time this located in the Caribbean next are in short supply. The coun- Haitian Wyclef Jean, a former season. to the Dominican Republic. try’s leaders fear that looting singer for the Fugees, to stage Haiti, a former French slave will become a major problem. a telethon for the country.  The Top Ten colony, is the Western Hemi- People from all over the world Bono and Jay-Z are also Defining Moments sphere’s poorest country. collaborating on a new song to of the Past Ten have responded to help a Massive aftershocks have also nation that many thought was raise money for Haiti. Years are in. added to the devastation. The on the verge of stability for the Haiti’s immediate future is not  Living Like T. presidential palace, Port-au- first time. Former Presidents very bright. However, Haiti Chase Meacham Prince’s main hospital and Bill Clinton and George W. Bush can succeed. It needs hits YouTube. thousands of other buildings are acting as special envoys to more than fresh water and have collapsed. The city’s aid the Haitian people. medical care. Haiti needs a airport is also feeling the President Obama has pledged long-term rebuilding plan. aftermath of the earthquake. $100 million from the govern- President René Préval knows The slums surrounding Port-au- ment, and about 15,000 Ameri- this, and is doing everything in Prince are nearly inaccessible, can troops are in Haiti aiding his power to build a sustain- INSIDE THIS and the death toll is continuing U.N. peacekeepers. able Haiti. ISSUE:

Civilians of Haiti Aid to Haiti 2 salvage items from destroyed Guatemala Service Trip 3 homes.

Photo courtesy Osaze’s Trip to Nigeria 5 of time.com, photographer The Top Ten Defining Timothy Fadek. Moments of the Past Ten 6,7 Years

Columbus’ Irresponsible 8 Spending

The Top Albums of the 10, Decade 11

Living Like T. Chase 12 Meacham Page 2 INTERNATIONAL NEWS The Carolian

After Aid, the best thing Americans can do is not Forget

Alexander Coccia ‘10 While I watched the evening news on be poor, the Haitians are poor and are Forgetting happens so easily. Those my wide screen television set, always going to be dependent on aid who are even usually vigilant will You were terrorized and taunted by a from other nations, and there is noth- ing we can do for countries as poor sometimes have that lapse in dictatorship government. and damaged as Haiti. International thought and say, “What?” The sad While I read the newspaper and drank truth is that after a catastrophe columnist Nicholas Kristof wrote in an my cup of steaming coffee, such as the earthquakes in Haiti, editorial for The New York Times that many Americans who had banded You walked the dusty, hot miles to the “that kind of self-fulfilling fatalism may together to send aid and help save tiny, crowded schoolroom to try to be the biggest threat of all to Haiti.” lives get absorbed back into the learn how to read. At the outset of a tragedy like the mechanical nature of life and forget While I scanned the ads for a bargain earthquakes in Haiti, Americans are about the suffering elsewhere. Per- on an extra piece of clothing, extremely generous with their money. haps “forget” is unfair to some; You woke up and put on the same Over $25 million was raised from text maybe simply “become distracted” shirt and pants that you have worn for messages alone for the American Red is more accurate. Why the word Cross. When it comes to rebuilding, many months. “distracted”? Because it indicates however, the wallets of Americans that our priorities are misplaced. While I built a 14-room house for the close more tightly. What is the over- Servite Sr. Joyce Rupp wrote the three of us, arching feeling that drives Americans following prayer after visits to Your family of 10 found shelter in a to be so transitory in their generosity? Guatemala and Liberia, indicating one-room hut. Is it the constant mobility that is re- our misplaced priorities. This should quired of Americans to succeed in the While I went to church last Sunday be our constant prayer and promise economy and the business sector? Is and felt more than slightly bored, to remember our true priorities: it the individualism that pervades the You looked upon the earth and those American culture of sports stars and

around you and felt gratitude to God celebrities? Whatever the answer, it “A Prayer for those who have too for being alive for one more day. must be changed. much.” My brothers and sisters, Charity is one thing, but justice is To my brothers and sisters in Forgive me for my arrogance and my another. We have all heard the prov- developing countries; indifference. erb, “Give a man a fish and he’ll eat for While I was deciding which oat bran Forgive me for my greed of always a day. Teach a man to fish and he’ll cereal to eat this morning, wanting newer, bigger and better eat for a lifetime.” It epitomizes what You were searching the ground for things. must be done when it comes to trage- dies such as in Haiti. Giving aid and leftover grains from the passing Forgive me for not doing my part to money is charity, working for the re- wheat truck. change the unjust systems that keep building of a country and life structure you suffering and impoverished. While I was jogging at the health is justice. Americans are too focused I offer you my promise to become center, on just immediate aid. However, if only more aware of your situation and to immediacy is focused upon, according You were working in the wealthy change my lifestyle as I work for trans- landowner’s fields under a to editor of National Review Online formation of our world. scorching sun. Jonah Goldberg, “Americans will just be back to clear the debris after the While I was choosing between diet next disaster.” and regular soda, “I offer you my promise to become more aware of your situation and to Right now, America’s focus must be Your parched lips were yearning for change my lifestyle as I work for the burial of the dead, the caring for the touch of water. transformation of our world.” We the sick and injured, and the clearing While I complained about the poor must promise to the Haitians, to the of the rubble. The money that Ameri- service in the gourmet restaurant, Sudanese, to the people of the world cans have given contributes in an You were gratefully receiving a bowl that we will work for the transforma- enormous way to that effort. When of rice. tion of the world. Part of this transfor- time has passed, however, attention mation, as Sr. Joyce Rupp wrote, in- must be turned to the rebuilding of the While I poured my “fresh and better volves becoming aware of situations country with stronger roots and detergent” in the washing machine, other than our own dilemmas of which stronger supports. For this to happen, You stood in the river with your shoes to buy. This involves getting rid we cannot become distracted, be- bundle of clothes. of our narrow point of view that says cause that, too, is one of the greatest the people of Haiti are always going to threats to Haiti. St. Charles Preparatory School ST. CHARLES NEWS Page 3

Guatemala Service Trip

Conor Feldmann ‘11 We hear about the poverty in America, severely malnourished, but statistics ing day-care assistance in the Santa and it shocks us that here, in the great- mean nothing compared to seeing over Clara Nursery, and completing building est nation on earth, there are people 30,000 Guatemalans live and work in projects necessary for these educa- living on the streets. Many of us see the city dump. Families eagerly await tional institutions. This school and the sleeping bags on the underpass of every Monday--trash day. Men, women, nursery were founded by International 670 and find it hard to believe that one and children scavenge barefooted, Samaritan to work specifically with of the wealthiest countries in the world competing with birds and dogs, hoping children from the neighborhood is unable to provide these people with to find food for their families, tin to sell, surrounding the Guatemala City homes. It amazes U.S. citizens that or a sturdy piece of cardboard to sup- garbage dump. It is imperative that there are people in our country that live port their home. these children get an education, in cardboard boxes and whose only So what? Why would a high school because it is their only way to climb meals come from a generous passerby student have any interest in the issues out of the cycle of poverty. or soup kitchens. Poverty in America is of people nearly 2,000 miles away? Euntes Ergo Docte Omnes Gentes. a disgrace, and in the U.S., no one The answer is simple, almost cliché—we Throughout our St. Charles careers we should ever be stuck in the cycle of are called to be our brothers’ keepers. have heard this quote from Matthew poverty. However, the definition of This summer, ten juniors from St. 28:19 of the Latin Vulgate. As most of “poverty” in America is referred to as Charles will be flying to Guatemala City us know by now, it means “Going out luxury by many in Guatemala. to accomplish three main goals: To therefore, teach all nations.” It is our The following statistics are based on improve the living conditions of gar- duty as Catholics, and especially as the most recent United States National bage dump dwellers living in severe members of the St. Charles commu- Census. In the census, 35 million poverty; to provide educational opportu- nity to give these individuals every Americans were defined as “poor.” nities and training which will lead to opportunity to escape the cycle of Nearly 75% of poor households own dignified and independent living; and poverty in which they are trapped. their own car and 97% have a color finally, to raise the awareness of those As with any missionary effort, our trip television. The most telling statistic is in the first world concerning living con- requires a great amount of financial that only 2% of America’s “poor” fami- ditions of the poor in the developing assistance. Each student is chal- lies reported that they “often” do not world. This will be St. Charles’ first ever lenged to raise $2000. In addition to have enough to eat. Understand that I international mission trip, and to our personal fundraising, money from our am not trying to downplay the problems knowledge the first high school trip of own part-time jobs and family contri- we have in America, but it is clear that its kind in Central Ohio. Mr. Warner has butions, we graciously accept dona- most Americans do not really under- taken the lead on this project, partner- tions from our friends and fellow mem- stand the extent of Third World poverty. ing with International Samaritan, an bers of the community. Donations The poverty in Guatemala is difficult for organization founded by Jesuit Father can be given to Mr. Warner any time Americans to imagine. I could tell you Don Vettese, S.J. until May 1st. Checks can be made out that minimum wage is about $4 per We will be tutoring and assisting teach- to International Samaritan, and are day, or that 45% of all children are ers in the Fransisco Coll School, provid- tax-deductible.

St. Charles Raises over $11,000 for Haiti

Alexander Coccia ‘10 In an effort to raise money for the people affected by the recent earthquakes in Haiti, the St. Charles community raised $11,343 through a three day collection. Moderated by the St. Charles student council, the donations came from parents as well as stu- dents. Student council moderator Mr. O’Neil believes that the amount of money raised shows a “remarkable response” to the tragedy in Haiti. The entire collection and effort that has been put forth by the St. Charles community “reflects on peoples’ willingness” to do good for others by living true to the many maxims of St. Charles. The money will be given to Catholic Relief Services for their direct work in Haiti. Catholic Relief Services will focus on the immediate need that must be given to the sick and wounded. Their work will also be focused on the rebuilding of Haiti that is urgently needed once the sick and wounded have been cared for. Earthquakes ravaged Haiti beginning on Tuesday, January 12th. The St. Charles community deserves to be commended for its generosity. Thank you to all who donated. Photo credit: bosnewslife.com. Page 4 SPORTS The Carolian

St. Charles Hockey Rocks the Bears

Alexander Coccia ‘10 On Friday, January 22nd, the Cardinals 18-6-1 on the season. On offense, they losses have come from Beavercreek, hockey team emerged victorious over are led by Julien and Charles Lacasse Dublin Jerome, Olentangy Liberty, Olen- the Upper Arlington Golden Bears in who have 15 goals each. On defense, tangy Orange (2), and St. John Vianney front of a packed St. Charles student the Cardinals are led by goalie Connor in St. Louis. The Cardinals flaunt two section. Once again, bird beat beast. Lenhart who has 374 saves on the victories each over Upper Arlington, The Cardinals won by a score of 3-2, season and a save percentage of 91. Thomas Worthington, Shady Side Acad- with goals by Tyler Brady, Vincent Overall, the Cardinals have scored 106 emy (PA), DeSales, and Holy Name High D’Antonio, and the winning goal by goals and have earned 3 shut outs. The School. Jake Wade. The Cardinals are now

Top: Jake Wade scores the winning goal against UA with 2:10 left in the game . Bottom Right: The St. Charles team. Bottom left: Charles Lacasse outperforms Upper Arlington every time. Photos courtesy of Steven Turville. St. Charles Preparatory School OTHER NEWS Page 5

My Trip to Nigeria

Osaze Udeagbala ‘11 When I was thirteen, I got the chance to visit Nigeria, the was early evening, and the town showed no signs of slowing home of my ancestors. I had gone home before, but not since I down. I noticed that there was a traffic jam ahead. As we was seven years old, so my memory of the country was very slowed down, we were swarmed by men, women, and even dim. I was excited - I was going to Africa! The nights children — all merchants who were trying to make money for before my journey were filled with dreams of exotic places, their families by selling whatever they could get their hands new people with peculiar dialects, a new culture, and a new on, similar to the ones we encountered at the small towns and environment. Finally, the day had come to begin the journey. I villages en route to the capital. However, these merchants was the first one up that morning, though we left the house at were different. I looked into the same window I had been star- 5am. We stopped both in New York and London before taking ing through during the entire trip and realized that the lives of a final international flight to Lagos. I took in the sights at the these Nigerian people was not the simple life I had antici- spectacular sites at which we stopped, but all the while, I was pated. As I came to this disturbing conclusion, one of the thinking about how much more the sights in Nigeria must merchants caught my attention. I looked towards the young have to offer. At last, after weeks of anticipation, we child, and, for a moment, I could feel the pain through his arrived in Lagos. I remember exiting the eyes. The mental anguish was impossible for me to sustain; I plane and commenting on how humid the environment was, looked away. For the rest of my time in Nigeria, I tried ear- but nevertheless, I was happy to have arrived. nestly to avoid that sensation, a horrifying mix of guilt and Later during our visit, we were able to go on a road trip to the empathic suffering, that I experienced that evening. nation’s capital, Abuja. Whenever I wasn’t sleeping (being Five days later, my family and I returned to Columbus. It was a excited can take its toll on the body), my eyes were peeled good feeling, and I was glad to be back home. I tried to forget wide open and glued to the windows. The towns we passed that moment I experienced during the trip, but I never could. through all seemed to have their own particular style. Some From then on, whenever someone made a joke referring to people, who, as merchants, carried their merchandise on top Africa, my mind would always flash back to that fateful image. of their heads, managed to display the strength and persever- Over time, the strange twinge I would feel in my gut after revis- ance to try to sell their fruits, nuts, water, or whatever else iting that moment went away. I consoled myself, in knowledge they happened to carry throughout the day. In my naivety, I that I do not find myself in that life-consuming dilemma. From never thought twice about what their lives must have been then on, I became more and more aware of the countless like, or if they had enough food for themselves. I simply took in blessings in my life. That moment still drives me today, in the the sights and tried to enjoy myself. hope that I might one day be able to help others like that Eventually, the trip neared its close. As we entered the urban child, who still struggle in a merciless cycle of poverty. In retro- area, I roused myself from one of the many naps I took during spect, it’s safe to say that my experience in Nigeria has the trip and began again to stare out the window of the van. It changed my life, and has given me purpose.

Movie Review: AVATAR

Sam Powell ‘11 This past holiday season has seen many great movies, one of which was James Cameron’s Avatar. Cameron, who also directed the memorable Titanic, has created a science- fiction masterpiece that generated $430 million by January 10th. Avatar is a captivating and action-packed tale of an ex-marine who finds himself in the middle of an out-of-this-world science project. Using advanced biological technologies, the main character connects his mind with that of an alien clone of the planet Pandora. With the use of computers, he controls the body of his “avatar” as he ventures among the natives of this foreign planet. Associating among these advanced but native creatures proves to be a very tumultuous affair, and the main character has to slowly learn to be one of them. Though he eventually becomes a member of an indigenous tribe of aliens, he finds himself in a war of the worlds as a greedy, capitalistic, American entrepreneur attempts to destroy the land of these humanoids. In an attempt to acquire a precious and extraordinarily valuable metal that only exists on Pandora, this businessman goes about destroying the homes and lives of these aliens. What was initially an innovative science project progresses into a war between intelligent species, and the main character finds himself stuck in the middle, battling to discover his true identity as a sacred piece of life. Although Avatar is a movie filled with action, sci-fi excitement, lots of bombs and explosions, cool gadgets, and sappy extraterres- trial romance, it has generated quite a bit of controversy. Some believe that the movie is “un-American,” as the theme and charac- terizations of the movie are a clear attack on the Iraq War, and a harsh criticism of the mass production of weapons and machin- ery. Also imbued with “save the whales” and “tree-hugger” themes, Avatar simply oozes with messages of being harmonious with nature, and some reactionary citizens were startled to see such a movie in an American theater. Both a super-cool, action-packed, science-fiction thriller and a touching expression of antiwar, anti-capitalistic principles, Avatar is not the right movie for a paranoid conservative, but is a good show for anyone looking for a tale of love, war, and aliens. Page 6 EDITORIALS The Carolian

The Top Ten Defining Moments of the Past ten Years

Andy Hof ‘11 Now that the previous decade (which some consider to not seven years as the Supreme Pontiff of the Catholic Church. end for another year) has come to a close, a retrospective The first non-Italian Pope in four hundred and fifty years, look seems in order. The world has changed greatly since Pope John Paul II was also one of the most travelled Popes January 1, 2000, in both good ways and bad. If some of the in history, following events were foretold in the ‘90s, most of us would visiting not have believed it at all. Starting with the number ten m o r e defining moment and working down to the number one than one defining moment of the past ten years: hundred countries

during his 10. The Miracle on the Hudson – On January 15, 2009, papacy birds struck US Airways Flight 1549 on its way from New and being York City to Charlotte, North Carolina. Both engines failed fluent in and the plane was forced to make an emergency water thirteen landing in the Hudson River. Captain Chesley Sullenberger languages. was able to safely navigate the plane onto the Hudson and evacuate its pas- sengers onto the 7. The iPod is Launched – October 23, 2001 brought with it wings to wait for a paramount achievement in the world of technology. While rescue water- not the first digital music player, the Apple iPod quickly craft. Not a single became the most popular, and as of 2009 had sold 220 passenger died million units since its inception. Available in several differ- in the crash and ent versions such as the iPhone, the captain and the original iPod had the click his crew became wheel along with four buttons sur- national heroes. rounding the circle (unlike today when the buttons are part of the

wheel). The iPod led to the growth of the digital music market and 9. Red Sox Break the Curse – In late October 2004, the internet piracy along with the Boston Red Sox seemed destined to fall victim to the Curse downfall of the CD, the most popu- of the Bambino, a Red Sox legend that was cited as a rea- lar music format up to that point in son for the fact that the Sox had not won a World Series time. The world has never looked since the selling of former home run champ Babe Ruth in back. 1920. Boston was down three games to none in the Ameri- can League Championship series to the rival New York Yan- kees (the team who bought Ruth). What happened next was 6. H1N1 – A serious pandemic of H1N1 (popularly called nothing short of a miracle. An unprecedented four straight Swine Flu) swept the world in 2009, killing more than wins and 13,000 people. President Barack Obama declared H1N1 a another four national emergency and hundreds of schools were affected straight by the outbreak as unknowingly infected students passed brought on the virus to their peers. The 2009 H1N1 (it has been them their around before) was a mix of influenza found in North Ameri- first World can swine, birds, humans, and European/ Asian swine. Series title Because of this, the pork industry faltered (see September since 1918. edition of The Carolian) because of the thought that H1N1 Another title could be contracted by eating hog meat. This is, of course, in 2007 was untrue, as properly-cooked pork gives the consumer no just icing on chance of infection. the cake for Red Sox Nation. 5. The Boxing Day Tsunami – A moment that might not be so defining for Americans but definitely so for the rest of the 8. Pope John Paul II Dies – On the second of April, 2005, world was the Boxing Day Tsunami in 2004 (Boxing Day is Karol Józef Wojtyła, Pope John Paul II, passed away from the day after Christmas). A registered 9.3 earthquake hit heart failure caused by septic shock after a urinary tract the Indian Ocean, sending massive waves towards the infection. Widely regarded as one of the most influential coasts of Thailand, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and many popes in recent times, John Paul II served for nearly twenty Defining Moments is continued on page 7

St. Charles Preparatory School Page 7

Defining Moments, Continued from page 6

other countries. Officially, about 230,000 people were 2. The Election of 2008 – Since the beginning of this great killed or are currently missing because of the tsunami. nation in 1776, one thing had remained consistent until Much like the recent Haitian earthquake, the Boxing Day 2008: Caucasian presidents. But the election of 2008 disaster caused suffering for many people, but also mobi- featured a tight battle between John McCain, a Republican lized countries and relief organizations to work together to from Arizona, and Barack Obama, a Democrat from Illinois. help so many people devastated by such a natural disaster. Obama eventually defeated McCain and became the first African-American president in the history of the United

States. This marked a great accomplishment for America, 4. The Economic Downturn – In the late 2000s, a financial which has changed so much politically from the days of crisis hit the United States and impacted the world. Low Martin Luther King, Jr. interest rates and foolish bank managers caused a housing market boom that eventually faltered and caused rising interest rates and thousands of foreclosures. As a result of this, many large, national banks failed and many 1. September 11, 2001 – In what can only be described as institutions were bailed out by the Federal Government, a heinous act of terror against thousands of innocent leading some to believe that the United States was hastily people, 9/11 will go down in infamy as a tragic day in the turning to Socialism during difficult times. The recession history of the world. Four planes were hijacked by multiple caused by the crisis is still being felt today by millions of al-Qaeda terrorists and flown into major United States land- Americans, who no longer are willing or able to pay for marks, including the two World Trade Centers and the things they were accustomed to having, hurting the econ- Pentagon (The fourth plane was flying through Pennsylvania to an unknown target when several brave passengers omy even more. stormed the cock- pit and overcame 3. Hurricane Katrina – The most expensive (in terms of the the hijackers long cost for rebuilding the things which were destroyed) hurri- enough to force cane in history, Hurricane the plane to crash Katrina hit the Gulf Coast in in a field, killing all August, 2005 and wreaked o n b o a r d ) . I n havoc. The most catastro- response to this phic damage was in New unjustified act, the Orleans, Louisiana, where United States the levee system used to entered a war on withstand large waves failed terrorism, starting drastically and sent large with the invasion floods toward the coast. At of Taliban-led (and one point 80% of the city and al-Qaeda backed) surrounding cities were Afghanistan and flooded, which caused at then in 2003 of least 1800 people to lose Iraq. The master- their lives. While not on the mind behind the scale of the Boxing Day Tsunami or the Haitian earthquake act, al-Qaeda of 2010, Katrina was the deadliest U.S. hurricane since leader Osama bin 1928 and also caused more than 100 billion dollars in Laden, has not damages. Parts of New Orleans remain ravaged, not having been caught, and been rebuilt since the catastrophe, even with the aid of is currently the most wanted criminal in the United States, if millions of people worldwide. not the world.

Photo Credits: Miracle on the Hudson — poneke.wordpress.com; Red Sox Break the Curse — cache.boston.com; Pope John Paul II Dies — bbc.co.uk; The iPod is Launched — apple.com; Hurricane Katrina — waterwaysnews.com; and September 11, 2001 — iconicphotos.files.wordpress.com.

The written views expressed in all editorials are not necessarily the views of The Carolian owner, moderator, editor, and staff. Nor are they necessarily the views of St. Charles Preparatory School. Page 8 The Carolian

Irresponsible Spending

Sam Powell ‘11 As Columbus’s city council works on this year’s budget plan, Mayor Michael B. Coleman is pushing for a $640,000 program that would support the arts in our city. Doing so would allocate money to construction projects that improve or enhance the arts in Columbus. Coleman spokesperson Dan Williamson said, “Having gotten past the financial emergency we were in a year ago, the mayor would certainly like to see progress.” Williamson continued, saying that a revived focus on public arts does not exist because money is more abundant for the city, but because budget issues no longer consume all the attention of our local government. Priscilla Tyson, a city councilwoman who owns an east-side art gallery and sits on the council board for the arts, says that this can be seen as a tool to develop our local economy, and that it would enhance the quality of life and augment business and tourism. “People want to live in a city that supports arts and culture,” she said. Yes- the arts are nice. No- this is not the time to be spending money on the arts. Setting aside hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars for such things in a time of economic insecurity is a supremely naїve thing to do. What about our transportation system that is in need of repair in numerous locations? What about the questionable performance of Columbus City Schools? What about recreation centers that remain closed due to money problems? What about the dwindling budgets and resources of our city’s libraries? Obviously the most recent economic downturn taught our mayor and some members of city council nothing. Though things are not as bad as they used to be, and though the city has a little extra money in tax revenue, now is the time to be spending money on more basic and fundamental aspects of our system. Surely our schools, libraries and roadways should come before arts and crafts. Our local government needs to be thinking in a more practical and prudent manner. Allocating money for the arts as our city is in need of across-the-board improvements is blatantly irresponsible. Having recently experienced a period of financial and economic downturn, our city leaders should be investing in a way that provides social, fiscal, and educational security for decades and generations to come. Unfortunately, it seems as though some, including Mayor Coleman, are thinking only five minutes ahead of themselves, and are not using their money in a strategic manner that provides deep-seated, bottom-up stability. Crucial aspects of our economic and social life, such as education and transportation, deserve our tax dollars before art projects do. In order to prevent another economic disaster, officials need to focus on well-built infrastructure, innovation in the job market, and thorough education for the citizens of Columbus. While fine arts are enjoyable luxuries that foster creativity and positive expression, the city of Columbus has more pressing issues at hand.

“True Change” with Scott Brown

Alex Tishko ‘11 The thought that a Senate seat in the state of Massachusetts would fall under Republican domain was unthought-of of since the days of 1972 and the Chappaquiddick tragedy of 1969. After almost 40 years of Democratic control, Scott Brown has unexpectedly won the election for the Senate seat vacated by the late Ted Kennedy by a definitive margin: 52% to 47%. Within the last month of campaigning, Massachusetts residents saw Brown, down 30 points, close the gap to single digits, just barely behind Democratic Attorney General Martha Coakley, within the last week before the special election. On January 19, 2010 the reign ended with the first Republican senator being elected in the State of Massachusetts since 1972. Among the factors contributing to the decisive victory were healthcare, the war on terror, and the economy. The series of debates offered unmistakable transparency: Coakley wanted to enact a 1 trillion dollar healthcare plan, and cut Medicare by 500 billion dollars. The Senator elect did not. Martha Coakley wanted to provide enemy combatants with Constitutional rights, Scott Brown disagreed. But maybe the most revealing of all was the stark contrast of each candidate’s views on the economy. In very predictable Democratic fashion, Mrs. Coakley is an outspoken supporter of the Massachusetts Hotel Tax, Meals Tax, Sales Tax among others which have led to a state once prospering with a 3 billion dollar surplus to a state on the knife’s edge of being flat- out broke. This situation comes in the wake of massive government handouts and subsequently has led to three Speakers of The Commonwealth resigning and many more soon following suit. The newly elected Senator Brown has advocated a more sensible approach to the economic plight suggesting tax cuts thus stimulating the private sector. By keeping taxes low, families and citizens of Massachusetts have more power to invest and jump-start the economy themselves without the corruption associated with gross government intervention. In the past year the word “change” has received much attention, both positive and negative. This election cuts through the rhetoric and isolates the word “change” in its most classic and pure meaning. “Change” is not the sole property of one politi- cal party, or one political candidate. Change is the property of the people; every election redefines the word. In an exciting, transparent, well thought out election, the people of Massachusetts decided and elected a chance for true change. St. Charles Preparatory School Page 9

Network Neutrality — The Most Important Issue You’ve Never Heard About

Greg Lindsey ‘11 Network neutrality is one of the most culturally significant issues to come into the public forum for years, and yet the major- ity of the population does not have a clue as to what the term means. Most Americans use the internet on a daily basis for work, communication, or the simple enjoyment of browsing web pages. Successfully implemented network neutrality laws would ensure the populism and sense of equality that defines the internet in social terms, thereby retaining the entity that forms one of the most integral pieces of modern life. The concept of network neutrality comes from the concern that due to lack of regulation, internet service providers or ISPs could exploit its consumers and control the ebb and flow of internet traffic. ISPs could accomplish this by leveling their ser- vices, much like the way cable television service is leveled, or by allowing data from certain sources to travel more quickly than data from than sources. In a tiered service model, a consumer would pay one rate for access to a certain set of websites, a higher rate for access to even more websites and/or for expanded content on the websites they already could access, and a final most expensive rate to access the web in its entirety. Tiered internet access takes away from the fundamental equality that is an integral part of the internet. With the internet as we know it everyone, everywhere sees the same content, regardless of income, class, race, religion, or any of the other characteristics over which the human race arbitrarily divides itself. It creates separa- tion based on who has the money to be able to afford the different levels of service and in effect turns the internet into a country club. However, the consequences of this policy would go much deeper than simply separating the population into defined groups or inconvenience levels. With the huge amounts of information on the internet in sites like Wikipedia, the internet has be- come a global library, with the sum of human knowledge just a computer and a connection away from anyone in the world. Without necessary regulation ISPs could control the flow and dissemination of ideas and thought more effectively than has ever been done before by limiting access to sections of the “library” that ISPs do not want them to explore. Establishing net neutrality is simply common sense. It goes hand in hand with the fundamental nature of the internet itself. The internet has been controlled by its users from the start and many people cannot imagine it any other way. But the hole still exists for ISPs to wrestle control of the internet from the people and impose their preferred business, tainting the spirit of the most life changing innovation of the last decade.

The Buckeyes — A Prediction for the Upcoming Season

Eric Shomo ‘11 In order for the Ohio State Buckeyes Football team to have success, it all depends on one player…and one coach. They are two completely different people, but they want to attain the same goal. For example, one depends on God…the other, on his players. For one, results depend on determination…the other, fate. And one excels under pressure…the other, under criti- cism. Nevertheless, the two individuals have teamed up in the past two seasons with hopes to bring the Buckeyes back to the era of winning national championships. Some people would like to think that this season was the season where we caught a glimpse of that. In the final moments of the 2010 Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, Buckeye fans all across the country had plenty of reasons to celebrate. Having not won a BCS bowl game since the Fiesta Bowl in 2005, the win on New Year’s Day provided plenty of relief for all Buckeye fans. But the relief came a lot quicker for the two biggest Buckeye fans in the world: starting quarterback Terrelle Pryor and head coach Jim Tressel. The two football maniacs, having faced a tremendous amount of pressure for the past couple of seasons, have finally made it over the hump. They have crossed the line from conservatism to aggressiveness and from amateurism to experience. It is safe to say that we can now throw away the criticism and bring out the chips and dip for next season. Some may say that there is a lot more work to be done to improve the whole team. Still others say that both Terrelle Pryor and Jim Tressel have more to prove individually. They feel that Pryor can increase his skill in the passing game and make better decisions when under pressure. They also feel that Tressel can become more consistent in his play-calling and be more aggressive in big game situations. While the speculation and criticism remains for some, the truth will surely not pre- sent itself until next season. Only then will Buckeye fans all around the nation know the team’s determination to change its ways and win another national title.

Page 10 The Carolian

The Top 40 Albums of the Decade

Patrick Ellison ‘10 As ESPN radio personality Colin Cowherd is often heard reasoning behind their acclaim. I immersed myself into a multitude of music cultures, music genres, and music saying, men, in general, like five things. fandom. I learned. I adapted. I became enlightened. And 1. Women. 2. Sports. 3. Food. 4. Maps. 5. Lists. now I am awake. Guys love lists. It’s like competition, but on paper. We rank It occurred to me near the end of my time in the wilderness sports teams, we rank cars, we rank fast food chains, and that neither mainstream nor indie music is entirely correct. we most certainly rank girls. You know that conversation A Middle Path must be formed. Only there can one find true you have with your boys late after the game on a Friday: enlightenment. To find this musical enlightenment, Four “Bro, Amy was at the game tonight. She’s a serious dime!” Noble Truths must be followed: “You kidding me? Amy? A 7 at the most!” “What are you on? 7?” “Dude, she wears too much make-up, and her hair is all jacked up! Shannon… now that’s where it’s at.” “You’d put 1. A musical life that is entirely devoted to one extreme is Shannon over Amy? Are you joking?” “Bro, she be looking not one that is awake. Meaning: if you are in love with Chris Brown, Ke$ha, and other pop-radio sensations, fine lately!” “No. Just no. She ain’t no Amy.” that doesn’t mean indie rock is not just as good, or Girls have never seemed to gather the whole love for rank- better. By the same token, if you bow down before ings and lists like guys have. How many girls have you heard Arcade Fire and Radiohead, don’t dismiss music say: widely on the radio as fake. “Devonte, he’s a 9 for sure!” “I don’t know about all that… 2. Biases must be dismissed before reaching enlighten- his nose is a little off. I’d give him a 8.2 maybe.” “Come on! ment. Meaning: quit thinking your music is better His chest hair SO makes him a 9 at least!” “Yeah, but he than everyone else’s. It’s really annoying. Just be- doesn’t have as much as Marco!” “But his biceps make up cause LCD Soundsystem doesn’t jump off the charts for it!” “Biceps? Who likes biceps? Deltoids are where it’s doesn’t mean they aren’t excellent in their own right. at!” As for the indie fans, it’s time to stop trashing every- It just doesn’t happen. But guys just can’t get enough lists, one who has Top 10 iTunes hits. Really, it’s terrible and the more epic the list, the better. So when I heard Roll- logic to reason that Lil Wayne is a bad artist because ing Stone Magazine had ranked the top albums of the dec- of his popularity. Sometimes the masses get it right. ade, I was dying to see that list and see how my predictions 3. Do not be blinded by emotion that comes with attach- ranked. ment to a band. Meaning: if you are the only one who What a disappointment. I’m tearing through the rankings, doesn’t think a band is totally garbage, you are proba- and the obscurity of the albums and narcissism of the bly wrong. Rolling Stone is incredibly guilty of this sin. magazine were hitting me in the face. So, as an avid music In my own small world, I am aware of three Bob Dylan lover of eclectic tastes, I decided to make my own list of the fans, as opposed to the three thousand who think top albums of the decade. This proved to be a harder task that he sounds like he’s having a stroke every time he than I could have ever imagined. opens his mouth. Yet, Rolling Stone put two past-his- “prime” Bob Dylan albums in the Top 11. This is an I became aware quickly that I had for my whole life been offense to the God-created body organ called “the sheltered from the vast amounts of music available today. I ears.” That’s like putting two Nickelback albums in was a man so buried in the iTunes Top 100 that I didn’t the Top 10. If 95% of people hate you, no matter how even understand the worth of anything else. I felt like much that 5% screams your praise… you probably Siddhartha Gautama, but instead of being secluded into indulgence, I was hidden away from all that was not main- aren’t very good. stream. So, just like Buddha, I escaped from that world and 4. If you read this list and are immediately angered, your threw myself into the world of alternative and independent original instincts may be incorrect. Meaning: don’t music. It took me the better part of winter break to even mock the process. Valid points are applauded. But make a dent. I consulted people who I know love all differ- ignorance is just agitating. If you think you can make ent types of music so I could get a wide variety among a Top 40 better, do it. I would love to read your list. which to make my selections. I read up on albums and Lists are amazing. groups I had not heard before to get a better sense of the So now I present to you: The Top 40 Albums of the Decade. The List

Patrick Ellison ‘10 displaying their musical genius… bly the greatest rapper of all time Luckily Big Boi and Andre 3000 in his finest hour. 1. Speakerboxxx/ The Love Below- didn’t pass up the chance. The re- 3. FutureSex/LoveSounds- Justin Tim- OutKast---- Just imagine if Paul sult? The best album of the decade. McCartney and John Lennon had berlake--- Combine the inspira- split up and made a double al- 2. The Black Album- Jay-Z--- I got 99 tions of Michael Jackson, Prince, bum facing off and individually problems, but this album’s got Earth Wind & Fire, and OutKast none. Flawless rap mastery. Argua- Top Albums is continued on page 11 St. Charles Preparatory School Page 11

Top Albums, from page 10 with the kings of 21st century pop ble and well-known albums ever… It vibes and modern grudge rock and production, and a sexually worked for Usher! thunder to create a new intriguing driven fusion of retro and futuristic 16. Toxicity- System of a Down--- Head- and fun rock style. feel is the outcome. bangers beware: excessive album 29. B’Day- Beyonce--- A vintage funk 4. Tha Carter III- Lil Wayne--- How does plays may result in permanent neck and soul feel integrated into Be- an eclectic, unfocused, egoistic, damage. yonce’s famous powerhouse bal- overdosed, semi-childish, and ex- 17. Fearless- Taylor Swift--- It’s pretty lad and dance combination make tremely dirty album make #4 on a unfair that other artists should have B’Day a grand success. list of the best albums of the dec- to compete against an angel. She 30. The Places You Have Come To Fear ade? Because it’s amazing, that’s has a divine advantage. The Most- Dashboard Confes- how. 18. The College Dropout- Kanye West--- sional--- Chris Carrabba uses every 5. Feed The Animals- Girl Talk--- If you Hey Kanye, I’mma let you finish, but ounce of his vocal talent, and have never listened to this album this album would be ranked higher achieves an indie vibe with a main- before, do so. It will change your if I did not feel morally obligated to stream feel. life. put you below Taylor. 31. Elephant- The Whites Stripes--- 6. A Rush of Blood to the Head- Cold- 19. Hybrid Theory- Linkin Park--- Theory: Classic British rock, set off by the play--- Vocal perfection and lyrical can rap and metal be mused to rock-stomping hit “Seven Nation genius matched with a quiet inten- create a hardcore sound like never Army.” sity that is consistent through the heard before? Experiment: Hybrid 32. The Blueprint 3- Jay-Z--- Jay-Z de- entire album. What more can you Theory. Conclusion: Yes. cided to bring out an all-star cast ask for? th 20. The Eminem Show- Eminem--- Less for his record-breaking 11 7. The Marshall Mathers LP- Eminem--- insane, but still raw, still gritty, still straight number one studio album, The content of this album is unfor- Eminem. and it was brilliant. givable, but this album is so mind- 21. Back to Black- Amy Winehouse--- A 33. Absolution- Muse--- The vocal and blowing that the musical, playful, lyrical prowess of Radiohead + the psychological horror is almost justi- classic throwback album of soul and passion, with the tipsiness of a mod- rock intensity of Black Sabbath + fied. the operatic drama of Queen = ern day diva. 8. Kala- M.I.A.--- Showcased by perhaps Absolution. It works. the song of the decade, Kala is an 22. Sound of Silver- LCD Soundsystem--- Patriotism, innovation, and techno 34. Out of the Vein- Third Eye Blind--- A album so unique that it is hard to truly excellent mainstream-style describe, but garbage cans, fun, all morphed into an impeccably modern rock album. gunfire, and electronica have produced album. never before been so beautiful. 23. Stripped- Christina Aguilera--- 35. Z- My Morning Jacket--- A soft Stripped uses sex appeal and diva melodic album that features many 9. Man On the Moon: The End of the different background styles and Day- Kid Cudi--- In his debut, this behavior to catalyze an intensely proves the beauty of simplicity. Cleveland boy brings a whole new deep and personal emotionally- style of rap to the table. And it was charged R&B album. 36. Get Rich Or Die Tryin’- 50 Cent--- impressive. The “chill” album of 24. Yankee Hotel Foxtrot--- A conglom- “Fun fact: Get Rich or Die Tryin' the decade. eration of Paul McCartney style went nine-times platinum, making melodies with Bob Dylan style vo- 50 the first rapper to sell a million 10. Hot Fuss- The Killers--- Alternative for each time he had gotten shot.” rock at its finest. Thirty years from cals and lyricism. –Rolling Stone Magazine. now these songs will still be on the 25. No Strings Attached- *NSYNC--- This radio as the classics of our youth. album marks the climax in the pop 37. All Killer No Filler- Sum 41--- The album title says it all. 11. Kid A- Radiohead--- It is the most music revolution, setting the stage critically acclaimed album of the for every other musician in the 38. St. Elsewhere- Gnarls Barkley--- This decade for a reason. genre, and making it easily the most creative epic is hit and miss, but recognizable album of the decade. the originality is astonishing, espe- 12. Songs In A Minor- Alicia Keys--- Soul cially in the Rolling Stone song of has never before been so sexy. 26. Discovery- Daft Punk--- A club and house party hit album, with the flow the decade “Crazy.” 13. The Funeral- Arcade Fire- Heralded of a Saturday Night Fever and the 39. Plans- Death Cab for Cutie--- A sim- as the alternative band of the dec- auto-tune vocals of “Mr. Roboto.” ply elegant and mesmerizing al- ade, Arcade Fire made this indie Frequented by Kanye West. bum. album an absolute masterpiece. 27. Good Girl Gone Bad- Rihanna--- 40. My Private Nation- Train--- This is 14. Stankonia- OutKast--- The duo is Something has to be said about an the album that the Counting Crows pretty amazing together as well. album that produces more Top 5 never had. While lyrically sentimen- See Stankonia for more details. hits than songs that don’t make the tal and cliché, it’s musically radiant 15. Confessions- Usher--- If only Tiger list. and classy. And… I kind of love Woods could publish his transgres- 28. Songs For the Deaf- Queens of the Train, so… come on, I deserve one sions in one of the most memora- Stone Age--- A fusion of classic rock spot to show some bias, don’t I? Page 12 NON GRAVIS The Carolian

Living Like T. Chase Meacham

Alexander Coccia ‘10 On January 18th, Forks and Spoons Improv Productions uploaded the first installment of the series, Living Like T. Chase Meacham. Within minutes, this video became an internet sensation. The video, starring T. Chase Meacham, is an instructional dance video led by T. Chase Meacham. T. Chase Meacham assists his assistants Colman Mahler and Andrew Zuk in their efforts to become musically and rhythmically able (Although at the very beginning T. Chase Meacham mentions that “rhythm is optional”). According to music master and consult- ant for the Forks and Spoons Produc- tions, Connor Simpson, when watching the video, “If you know Chase, you'll laugh your head off. If you don't know Chase, you'll laugh your head off and Living Like T. Chase Meacham is no easy only men who will fail while attempt- wish that you did know him!” task. Follow Mr. Meacham’s steps to be- ing it are those who do not want the So who is T. Chase Meacham? Well, not coming a successful dancer, while impress- attention of every single woman in only is he the master of the arts at St. ing the ladies. ear shot of the magnificent bird mat- Charles, but he is currently the master Photo courtesy of youtube.com. ing shouts. of arts in the entire world. And if You- Because of the success of his video, Tube can be seen elsewhere, he is the T. Chase Meacham is considering claiming their love for T. Chase master of the arts off of this planet. making his Facebook account private. Meacham. When asked what the nation should In T. Chase Meacham’s first trial-run I caught up with T. Chase Meacham in expect in the upcoming segments, Con- of the T. Chase Meacham dance, he Starbucks, having to beat away the nor Simpson said, “Well, since this will received 63 phone numbers, 27 be- hordes of women dying to touch him. I be a multiple installment series (we low his quota of 90, but not bad for asked, “T. Chase Meacham, what was already have a new one filmed, and the evening. your inspiration to teach people how to several more in the conception stages), Understanding the brilliance of T. dance?” With more humility than I predict that T. Chase Meacham-mania Chase Meacham is a difficult task, Terrell Owens, he replied, “It was simple will sweep the nation... as will a nation- and one not quite mastered by this really. As I was sitting in Starbucks wide shortage of shoes with ‘pointy reporter. However, in his kind and drinking my Grandemochafrappuci- toes and clacky heels.’” Oh, Mr. Simp- benevolent way, T. Chase Meacham nowithwhippedcream, I asked myself, son, you are wrong in one respect. T. offered me this simple answer: T. ’What can I do to attract the utmost Chase Meacham-mania will not sweep Chase Meacham is brilliant, because attention of every woman around me?’” the nation in the future; it has already The answer — the T. Chase Meacham he is T. Chase Meacham. done so. Comments are already flood- Dance. ing YouTube, mostly of women pro- Visit: http://www.youtube.com/ The dance is truly universal, and the watch?v=n87h-t6RLcg

Teacher Trivia 1. 3. Cameron Murphy ‘11 Let’s start easy: Which teacher would Whose favorite sport to watch on T.V. eat White Castle for the rest of his or is hockey? her life if he or she had to choose a 4. meat? Whose favorite sport to watch is Ohio 2. State football? (Unfair question?) When asked what he or she would 5. change his or her name to if he could Who would want to be named Emperor (Answers) he or she replied, “Onomatopoeia, or of the World Jack I, if he could do so? 1. Mr. Callahan 2. Mr. Moyer 3. Mr. Schrein 4. Sister Margaret 5. Mr. Gibbons something that sounds like that.” St. Charles Preparatory School Page 13

Try Your Way Out of This Maze

Jake Wade ‘11 The Carolian welcomes for the first time art work by St. Charles students. This maze, entitled Natural Disaster, is a mind- blowing activity for study hall. Students are encouraged to submit artwork and cartoons to The Carolian. WWW.STCHARLESPREP.ORG

THE CAROLIAN The Carolian is the official , student-run newspaper publication of St. Charles St. Charles Preparatory School Preparatory School. The paper was started in 2010 East Broad Street Columbus, Ohio 1926, and remains a great tradition of the 43209 school. For many years, The Carolian has Phone: 614-252-6714 Fax: 614-251-6800 been the source of Cardinal News for the E-mail: [email protected] students, faculty, staff, and alumni.

CARDINAL NEWS

CAROLIAN STAFF Writers featured in this month’s issue Alexander Coccia ‘10 Patrick Ellison ‘10 Mr. Dominic Cavello ‘64 (Owner) Will Ryan ‘10 Mr. John Gibbons ‘81 (Moderator) Conor Feldmann ‘11 Andy Hof ‘11 Alexander Coccia ‘10 (Editor-in-Chief) Greg Lindsey ‘11 Cameron Murphy ‘11 Editors Sam Powell ‘11 Alexander Coccia ‘10 Eric Shomo ‘11 Patrick Ellison ‘10 Alex Tishko ‘11 Will Ryan ‘10 (Sports Editor) A Publication of St. Charles Osaze Udeagbala ‘11 Sam Powell ‘11 Preparatory School Jake Wade ‘11

Photographers

Steven Turville ‘10