The Green & Gold
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The Green & Gold Summer Edition, July, 2021 Vol.4 A Student Written Newspaper See further in article 8 Welcome to The Green and Editor in Chief: Charlotte McKinley Gold, a student newspaper written exclusively by Viking Contributing writers: students. The journalism Nia Bedard students created the Samantha Watkins MIranda Cincotta newspaper to inform, entertain, Anna Hou and inspire readers, while Jasmine Milbourne striving to become better Josephine Leslie writers and communicators of Laney Riesett their ideas Laura Newmark 1 The Unprecedented Year: Recap By: Jasmine Milbourne The 2020-2021 school year year Saint John’s adapted. Tape will forever and always go down in the hallways, masks, reminders as one of the most interesting on every wall, and screeners were school years in history. Though some of the things our Saint John’s will be opening up community had to overcome for the upcoming school year, together. last year was definitely one to Students did all they remember. From six feet could to have a normal school distancing to mandatory masks year. In late August, the school mandates, everything changed welcomed the class of 2024 with a for the school. five-day orientation. Seniors, In July of last year, the juniors, and sophomores were news broke that students and not far behind on those. In late faculty would be returning for on September, some students had campus instruction- at least an at-home homecoming dance partially. The hybrid schedule while others were able to enjoy was introduced, and throughout their friend’s company through a the screen. Overall the Viking family As the new schedule proved that they can get through ensued, this became the new anything. normal. Sports were reintroduced in October with heavy restrictions. Students and coaches did all they could to follow guidelines while still playing their best. Fall, winter, and spring sports were all able to display their commitment throughout the year. Overall, Viking sports delivered one of best years with over half the student body participating in sports. Clubs were able to meet virtually and some new ones formed. Clubs like Science Olympiad and Mock Trial flourished in their respective competitions. In Fall, the sophomore class was able to be together for their retreat. By December/January the talk of a vaccine was underway. Though students weren’t able to receive it until April, many of the faculty acquired the earliest possible dose. In the early spring, the junior class was able to enjoy each other’s company for their retreat. In May, the Vikings said goodbye to their class of 2021, held senior prom, had their last retreat together, and wrapped up sports. School wrapped in early June, leaving behind one of the most eventful school years. The mandatory mask mandate was lifted halfway through June amid the hope that the Saint John’s community could get back to normal. 2 Advice For Incoming Freshman By: Nia Bedard Dear Incoming Freshmen, former freshman of SJCP, I am giving you my top seven pieces Starting high school can of advice to survive your be very intimidating- that is a freshman year. very simple observation and does not change despite the 1. Don’t be nervous chaos of 2020. Regardless of that, the comfort of normalcy is in I understand that this statement sight heading into the 2021-2022 is a bit ridiculous. This is a big school year with the hopes of the transition and of course you are school returning to full capacity, going to be nervous throughout clubs returning, and sports your freshman year about some teams having normal seasons. things. That being said, don't Despite the return to normalcy, become encapsulated in your starting high school is still a nerves of starting at a new daunting and even scary school, making new friends, transition, so speaking as a learning new things, etc. The moment you begin to let go of 4. Get involved in your nerves, start being yourself, extracurriculars and just live in the moment, you will proceed to get the most out Freshman year is a great time to of your freshman year whether get involved in extracurriculars. that’s with friends, in sports, or in Whether it’s a sport or a club, the academics. options are limitless for students to get involved in activities. 2. YOUR TEACHERS ARE HERE TO Sports teams include: Baseball, HELP YOU Basketball, Competitive Cheer, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Notice that this statement is in Indoor/Outdoor Track, all caps. This is a very important Lacrosse,Soccer, Softball, Tennis, piece of advice. Your teachers and Volleyball. Clubs and want you to succeed, they don’t Student Organizations include: enjoy it when you fail a test, turn Book Club, Black Student Union, something in late, or don’t Campus Ministry, Cooking, understand a topic. Your Environmental Club, teachers are there to help you International Club, National Art and support you throughout Honors Society, National Honors your time in school, so don’t Society, Student Ambassadors, hesitate to ask a question if you Student Government Association, don’t understand something. and many more. It is even Talk to your teachers if you need possible to create new clubs extra help or tutoring, try and such as the Sign Language Club make a plan with your teacher if which was created by Kalia you are falling behind on an Espenlaub, Class of 2023. So with assignment. Bottom line, your all of those options, go try out teachers are here to help you, for a team, join a club, or create not hurt you. a club. It can be a fun way to make new friends and be 3. Organization is key involved with the school. If you start out the year being organized, it will only make it 5. Be attentive in class much easier to find information by the end of the year. Whether This one will be a bit difficult to you organize your information in do all the time, so it’s okay if you a binder, notebook, or on your zone out in the middle of class. I computer, being organized and will warn you now that you will, knowing how to find information especially during that 5-7 week is key to making it through your stretch from President’s Day to freshman year. Spring Break, want nothing more than to be done with school. Despite that, there are ways to keep yourself from zoning out during a long lecture or a boring video. If you are being given a lecture, enjoy here and make the most start taking notes so that your of your time at SJCP. Go to brain processes the information football games, go to dances, being given to you by your join a club, make a club, try out teacher-- plus, writing down for a team, manage a team, information helps you retain it make new friends, make new better. If you are watching a memories, take classes you are boring video, you can take notes, interested in, get to know your but the visuals from the video will teachers, get to know members most likely distract you, rather of staff, get to know your take a tiny mental break to bring classmates, but most you back to focus. This can importantly enjoy the next four include tapping the table with years. your fingers ten times, taking five deep breaths, or just stepping I hope that all of this advice is out of the room can help reset beneficial to those of you who your brain to focus on the take it, and for those of you information. who decide not to, that's totally fine too. I just hope that any 6. Take charge incoming freshman could read this and get some peace of If you put effort into what you mind about heading into next are doing you will see an year. Good luck class of 2025! improvement, whether that is in academics, sports, or any other school activity. If you are not seeing improvement, then ask for help. Teachers can give you extra Green & Gold Staff help or help you find a tutor from Highlight the National Honors Society. Plan a get together with friends Nia Bedard has been an from your sports team to run example of excellence at some drills or a scrimmage. You The Green & Gold. She is have the power to improve while a talented student, writer, at Saint John’s so long as you singer, and classmate. take charge. Thank you Nia for all your hard work! 7. Enjoy every moment As a senior I will tell you that these next four years will go by so fast, I still haven’t processed that I’m going to start my senior year in 7 weeks. Since your time here will go by very quickly, I highly recommend that you do what you Beat3 the Boredom By: Samantha Watkins This summer, do not fear boredom, there are plenty of If you would rather do something ways to stay occupied. The more social you, could hang out best way to stay physically with friends or maybe use your and mentally active is to learn time to volunteer. Helping others something new. This can be a is a great way to use your time new language, game, skill, and it usually makes everyone's anything you can think of. It day a little better. Combating can inspire new hobbies such boredom can be as easy as as exercise, drawing, writing, listening to music or taking a cooking, and many more. You step outside for some fresh air.