A CHRISTIAN BROTHERS ACADEMY NEWS PUBLICATION DECEMBER 2017 ISSUE PREMIERE ISSUE WOMEN AND THE BILLBOARD CHARTS ALSO IN THIS ISSUE: SURVIVING THE POST STRANGER THINGS SLUMP PLUS STAR WARS FEVER AT CBA Photo by Larry Levanti Letter from the Editor / The Academy Torch Second Issue / December 2017 This publication will feature a spread from Joe Sandbach ’18, as PUBLISHER he covers Women and the Billboard Ms. Biloholowski Charts. Other featured articles include American gun violence, written by Joe Broehl ’18, and women in gaming, by EDITOR IN CHIEF Brian Hack ’19. We’ve really been try- Ms. Biloholowski ing to integrate the interests of tte CBA community and focus on CBA-related activities while also covering pressing issues that are affecting our country CREATIVE DIRECTOR today. Ms. Biloholowski LETTER FROM THE EDITOR JACK BUTTERFIELD This will be a fun issue, filled with music, sports, CBA news and American EDITORS news. Shout out to seniors Joe Broehl, Joseph Broehl Jack Coleman, Connor Cassidy, Quinn Jack Butterfield Kiernan, Aidan Picadio and Joe Sand- Jack Coleman bach, as they put in a lot of hard work Quinn Kiernan and dedication to this newspaper over Robert Joseph Sandbach elcome to the second edition their Academy Torch careers. Matthew Vaccaro Wof the Academy Torch News Publica- tion! The first edition was a huge suc- Keep reading the Torch, and talk to cess, as we took a new approach to the Ms. Biloholowski or any of the editors design and publication of the Academy if you want to write for the Torch. We PHOTO EDITOR Aidan Broderick Torch. can always use new writers and editors! Photo by Larry Levanti Cover photo by Larry Levanti #WE ARE CBA 2 ACADEMY TORCH / December 2017 / cbalincroftnj.org ACADEMY TORCH / December 2017 / cbalincroftnj.org 3 In This Issue 12.2017 4 10 11 19 5 6 13 4 STAR WARS 9 EMERGING ROLE OF 13 METALLICA !7 NBA CHRISTMAS AND CBA WOMEN IN Master of Puppets EVENTS GAMING 5 SENIOR RETREATS: Overnight Bonding 10 EMINEM 14 SECULARIZATION 18 GIANTS: Taking a Stand OF THE HOLIDAY This should have been expected 6 WOMEN AND MUSIC IN 2017 11 1967 15 EVOLUTION OF Best Year in Music CHRISTMAS 19 BOSTON CELTICS Dominating the NBA 8 GUN VIOLENCE 12 STRANGER THINGS: 16 AARON BOONE: What to Do Once Yankee Manager You’ve Binged 2 ACADEMY TORCH / December 2017 / cbalincroftnj.org ACADEMY TORCH / December 2017 / cbalincroftnj.org 3 The Last Jedi and the Hype Surrounding It Fransisco Roig ‘19 ith the upcoming release of Many fans of the timeless series CBA community will wait until the Wthe new “Star Wars” movie, many fans reside within the CBA community. Winter Break to take in the movie, are “extremely excited,” as Mr. Nunan Many of our teachers were raised on there’s no denying that the school has put it. The saga’s previous entry, The these movies. “It’s exciting whenever a been focused on the premiere, with Force Awakens, was nothing short of new “Star Wars” movie comes out. No students buying tickets weeks ahead of a success in making hardened fans of matter hoor good or bad it is, it is just so time. the series, pumped for the rebirth of nostalgic, it allows me to escape to my this classic franchise. One would expect childhood,” said Mr. Fales. Well known nothing less from this next film, “The “Star Wars” fanatic, Mr. Speidel said, Last Jedi,” which comes out December “I am happily looking forward to the re- 15th. In this next installment of the lease and I hope that it is better than the series, Rey seeks out Luke Skywalk- last one.” Unfortunately, he will not be er to learn how to better control her rocking his Stormtrooper helmet to the newfound abilities to harness the force. premier, but he will certainly be there. Meanwhile, the Resistance plans to fight Millions of Americans across the coun- back against the First Order. The film is try are adamantly looking forward to set to be the longest in the series. This this film and cannot wait for its release. title originally belonged to the “Attack At the movie’s release, there were of the Clones” with a length of 140 many CBA students and faculty who minutes (2 hours and 20 minutes), while made their way to movie theaters for the “The Last Jedi” is estimated to be about midnight showing. While many in the 150 minutes. CBA 4 ACADEMY TORCH / December 2017 / cbalincroftnj.org ACADEMY TORCH / December 2017 / cbalincroftnj.org 5 Senior Retreats Conor Cassidy‘18 retreat can be defined as a small getaway/vacation Awith a community of co-workers or others interested in be- coming more spiritually involved. Since the beginning of their academic career at Chris- tian Brothers Academy, students have attended a retreat each school year. Sophomore year incorporated the first retreat completed, followed by the Junior Year retreat. Both retreats are similar as they both were located at Christian Brothers Academy and both were completed in only one day. Unlike the sophomore and junior retreats, the Senior Re- treat took place in West Long Branch (right near Pier Village) and was held over two days, including an overnight stay at the San Alfonso Retreat House. During the senior retreat, the students and the chaper- ones watched numerous videos/movies including an ESPN 30:30 “Unguarded” documentary and “The Way” a movie about making friends during the journey of life. Other than watching movies, students and chaperones attend multiple Prayer Services, Life Discussions/Presentations, and Confes- sion. While the seniors spend a lot of time together at the Academy, these smaller, overnight retreats allowed the stu- dents to facilitate stronger relationships between each other and the faculty moderators. As the seniors look to college, the retreats are a memory to look back on. This memory will recall another example of the cultivation of the CBA brother- hood and emphasis on building community. 4 ACADEMY TORCH / December 2017 / cbalincroftnj.org ACADEMY TORCH / December 2017 / cbalincroftnj.org 5 Is 2017 the Worst Year for Women in Music? Robert Joseph Sandbach ‘18 Why is 2017 proving to be one of the worst years for the year. To add on, some artists like Taylor Swift may have women in music? While music sales have been consistently received their lowest Metacritic scores to date, but they are declining throughout the growth of the streaming era, women still positive reviews. These women — besides Katy Perry have seen the impacts on a more serious scale. This past year, — have had generally favorable remarks left on their releas- huge stars like Katy Perry and Taylor Swift have released es, illustrating that women are not producing lower quality projects, yet sales are still down. Is it that women are produc- content. ing poor content, or is it just an under appreciation? It’s time In addition to the women already named, some wom- to get to the bottom of these shrinking sales. en released albums receiving high praise that just could not First and foremost, women are at a disadvantage. crack the top spot. One of the most notable was SZA. SZA According to Spotify, men get the benefit of both male and released “Ctrl,” a story of her life that includes her mother’s female listeners, women tend to have more exclusively female and grandmother’s voices. It was met with enormous critical audiences. This is important to keep in mind when discussing acclaim. It has been nominated for four Grammy Awards and the downward happening right now. 2017 did not see a wom- received two certified platinum records. How did she do in the an lead the Billboard 200 Chart until June 24th when Halsey’s Hot 100? Her peak was 32. Apart from powerhouse singers “Hopeless Fountain Kingdom” was released. Over six months like Taylor Swift and Adele, the only female artists who are into the year, there were no women running the scene. Since climbing to the top of the charts are female rappers. Cardi then, only Kesha, Lorde, Katy Perry, Pink, Lana Del Rey, B’s “Bodak Yellow” received critical and commercial success Taylor Swift, and Shania Twain have hit number one. There unimagined for a female rapper’s debut. It also led for three are 52 charting weeks in the year, yet only ten were ruled by consecutive weeks. Why is it that historic acclaim and praise women. The Billboard Hot 100 fared even worse than the al- are not enough to bridge the gap between men and women? bums chart. No woman rose to number one until Taylor Swift Even though women have produced some of the did on September 16th. Women only held six of 52 weeks on most highly regarded music this year, the fact is sales are still there. down, so it’s time to look at the men. How has 2017 treated These numbers raise an unfortunate question. Are male artists? The only words for it are unprecedented suc- women just producing poor content? Most of the women cess. The “Despacito” remix featuring Justin Bieber spent a named above have had exceptional reviews on their work. record-tying 16 weeks atop the Hot 100. “Shape of You” by Lorde for example had one of the most acclaimed albums of Ed Sheeran spent 12 weeks at number one. As of December 6 ACADEMY TORCH / December 2017 / cbalincroftnj.org ACADEMY TORCH / December 2017 / cbalincroftnj.org 7 ing the 2018 charts, reminiscent of the 90s MTV era. Women are not pro- ducing lower quality music and while they may be under appreciated by the masses, those who are listening know the strength they command.