THE SENTINEL Marist High School Volume 55, Issue 3 4200 West 115th Street, , Il 60655 DECEMBER 14, 2018 Blue Marists carry out ministry in war-torn Syria Georgia Lattas the appropriate documents before coming to the U.S. While in Syria, Hallak senior reporter practiced dentistry for several years. Currently, Hallak works as a dental The Marist Brothers’ service and aid assistant until he can receive his license to to the Syrian people dates back to 1904 practice in the U.S. when four Brothers arrived in Aleppo to “Coming to the U.S. was a great run a school for Armenian Catholics in decision,” Hallak said. “We are lucky to Telal Street. Since then, the Brothers built have known someone living here. It was Champagnat College in 1932, becoming not easy leaving my country, but the safety nationalized in 1967. of my family is of the upmost importance. In 1976, the group Champagnat-Jabal The destruction we’ve witnessed and was formed, and they began educating the devastation the war has caused is through the Marist tradition by scouting unbelievable.” in the poorer neighborhoods. For over Hallak explains that the Aleppins lived 100 years, the Marist Brothers have aided without water or electrical power because the people of Syria, and the 2012 crisis is the pumping stations and power plants no exception. were in rebel-controlled areas. Mortar In July 2012, armed groups affiliated to shells and gas canisters filled with nails Al Nosra, a branch of Al Qaida, invaded were launched by the rebels every day the Eastern and Southern neighborhoods and killed dozens of people. of Aleppo, causing the displacement of Hallak does not want his family to 500,000 people. Refugees fled to Western forget the great memories they have Aleppo, which was under control of the shared in Aleppo, however. Syrian government. “Before the crisis hit, Syria was very Aleppo was eventually divided into peaceful and growing economically,” photo courtesy of Joseph Hallak two: the Eastern neighborhood, with Hallak said. “We love to play , 250,000 people living under rebel control, and Samaki Walker, a onetime N.B.A. Joseph Hallak, his wife Carla, daughter Lea and son Karam moved and Western Aleppo, with 1.5 million champion with the , to New Jersey from Syria in 2016 after rebel forces invaded Aleppo people living under government control. played two seasons for Aleppo’s Al Jalaa in 2012. The Hallaks shared their experiences at the faculty retreat Joseph Hallak and his family witnessed Sporting Club, winning championships on Nov. 5. the harsh reality of the war and came to in 2008 and 2011. I never want these the United States in 2016. memories to fade. The rebels will never Christian and Muslim families,” Hallak continue to pray for peace as they watch Hallak and his wife, Carla, grew up in take away any of the good memories said. “That is my favorite thing about the their city crumble. Syria and got married in 1998. The couple we’ve shared in our country.” Blue Marists. They help everyone, no “When you watch it on television, it’s welcomed their son Karam in 2000 and Shortly after the war began, the Blue matter what their religious affiliation is.” easy to skip to another channel and just their daughter Lea in 2003. Before the Marists began helping the people of Syria. The transition to the U.S. was difficult forget it,” Hallak said. “But when you’ve crisis hit, Hallak describes Aleppo as a Brothers dressed in blue sweatshirts for the Hallaks, but they have found ways witnessed it in real life, it’s a completely nice place to live, surrounded by family would come and provide aid to those in of incorporating Syrian traditions, such different experience.” and friends. need, offering shelter, clothes, hygiene as cooking Middle Eastern food and “I don’t know why humans kill,” Hallak The family moved to New Jersey in products and basic necessities. attending an Armenian Catholic church. said. “In my opinion, they are not rebels, October 2016. Hallak’s sister-in-law is an “The Blue Marist program expanded Hallak and his family watch the war they are terrorists. I don’t wish war upon American citizen, and the family obtained its scope to help hundreds of displaced unfold on American television and they my worst enemy.”

775 RedHawks responded to our December survey about their Journalists win national awards Christmas preferences and beliefs...here are the results:

RedHawk journalists winning awards for writing at the JEA/ NSPA national high school journalism convention in Chicago on Nov. 2 included (L to R) Georgia Lattas in feature writing, Gina Musso in news writing, Kaitlyn Klein in review writing and Cece Gibbons in editorial writing. This was the second consecutive national honor for Lattas, Musso and Gibbons, who took awards last spring at the convention in San Francisco.

PAGE TWO NEWS DECEMBER 14, 2018 Big changes next year for area Catholic football teams Cecelia Gibbons The creation of the new league will also benefit freshman and JV teams junior reporter who have faced scheduling troubles in 2019 RedHawk Football Schedule School principals from both the the past. Now, schools will be able to Chicago Catholic League and the East play teams with similar participation (weeks 1-2 TBA) Suburban Catholic Conference decided numbers. that the two programs will merge The announcement of the merger has together to form one giant league for the drawn a positive reaction from both WEEK THREE: v. Notre Dame 9/13/19 2019 football season. coaches and players. To determine where each school “I think the ESCC and CCL merger WEEK FOUR: v. Br. Rice 9/20/19 will be placed in the new division, a is great for both conferences,” junior committee of athletic directors created wide receiver AJ Markett said. “It’s WEEK FIVE: v. Fenwick 9/27/19 a formula which is based off of the definitely something that a lot of people school’s male enrollment, football have wanted to happen for a long time.” WEEK SIX: v. Mt. Carmel 10/4/19 participation numbers and success The conference will be made up of during the 2017 and 2018 football the 14 teams from the CCL including WEEK SEVEN: v. Nazareth 10/11/19 season. Brother Rice, Mt. Carmel, Providence, WEEK EIGHT: v. St. Patrick 10/18/19 “The ESCC-CCL football conference St. Lawrence, St. Rita, St. Ignatius will be comprised of 24 schools grouped and . Some of the 10 WEEK NINE: v. Loyola 10/25/19 into six divisions of four teams,” ESCC teams consist of Benet, Marian RedHawk Athletic Director Eric Catholic, St. Viator, Nazareth, Joliet Simpson said. “Based on the formula, Catholic and Notre Dame. Marist’s football program ranked first “It’s going to be cool to play against The new conference will change the The RedHawks will face Mt. Carmel among all 24 schools.” teams that have guys that we’ve all RedHawk tradition of playing rival and Loyola Academy as well as #1 The formula dictates which schools known growing up,” Markett said. Brother Rice at the beginning of each seeds Notre Dame, Fenwick, Nazareth Marist will primarily face in the 2019 “Every game is going to be huge.” season. and St. Patrick who come from the and 2020 seasons. After two years, Head coach Ron Dawczak feels “There won’t be the big opener other five divisions. the same formula will be used and the playing rival neighborhood schools playing Brother Rice,” Dawczak said. “Our kids will have to be ready to league will realign in 2021. such as St. Rita and Mt. Carmel will be “Playing them in week one is something play a tough schedule,” Dawczak said. “I am extremely excited about the a positive for the team. our kids have always looked forward to, “Every week we will find ourselves new football conference,” Simpson “Chicago loves its football, and but now we will play them later in the facing some really good competition.” said. “We felt strongly that the formula [being able to play those schools] on a year.” The players are looking forward to it. used to determine the football schedules regular basis is something I know our The new merger means the “I wish it would have occurred a year would lead to increased parity players, coaches and alums are very RedHawks will face competitive teams or two sooner,” Markett said. “I imagine throughout the divisions and overall excited about,” Dawczak said. “It’s they rarely have had the opportunity to all of the younger guys are excited to be schedules.” exciting for the community.” play in the past. a part of this new conference.”

Only one week to go before Christmas break! Enjoy your 16 days off, RedHawks! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

PAGE THREE opinions DECEMBER 14, 2018 Keep it real and remember others in 2019 Fill hearts, not stockings Emma Brown managing editor Jenna Fessler senior columnist 2018 was an eventful year, filled Let’s be honest: Who wants to stop binge Another realistic, attainable resolution with ups and downs for sports teams, eating junk food while binge watching entire is to aim to help the environment. Christmas is just around the corner. It is groups and individuals. Christmas seasons of “Friends” on Netflix? Make an effort to recycle more. Stop now acceptable to listen to holiday music, is upon us, but many people seem Instead of telling yourself to join a gym throwing cans and plastic bottles in the which means that the highly overrated to forget the other important winter and then feeling like a failure for not going, trash, especially here at school. Create Mariah Carey version of “All I Want holiday: convince a friend to go out and play laser a compost bin and encourage family for Christmas is You” will be playing New Year’s Day. tag or paintball. Do something...anything members to use it. This will bring constantly. We look forward to snow. Ugly Whether people party all night that is actually enjoyable and physical. Get everyone together over something that sweaters are back in fashion. on December 31 or choose to sleep your blood pumping and have some laughs they can be proud of. Resolve to stop However, during this holiday season through it like any other night, many at the same time. Do some sort of physical using plastic straws and plastic bags. we all need to slow down, think about the will set a New Year’s resolution in activity that is entertaining instead of forcing Conserve water whenever possible. bigger picture and embrace the holiday hopes of bettering themselves. yourself into a negative, judgemental place. New Year’s resolutions do not have spirit. Unfortunately, these resolutions Again, the key is to make the resolution to be hard or life altering. Keep them Part of that spirit should be focusing on tend not to last very long. realistic and one that involves other people. simple. The important thing is to stick the idea of bringing joy to others and not Personally, I have never made it Resolve to connect with family members with them. thinking so much about personal gain. I past January. more frequently. Go visit your grandparents 2019 presents each of us with a fresh know it is easy to get wrapped up in the This year, we should focus on and shovel their driveway while you are opportunity to improve ourselves, each materialistic side of the holiday, especially choosing productive and attainable there. Spend time with those little cousins, other and our world. with the sales, advertisements and overall New Year’s resolutions. nieces or nephews who annoy you. Chances Let’s all figure something out before hype. Most people I know aim to get in are that they will grow up to become tolerable 2018 is a memory and let’s all find the People often get way too stressed about shape by dieting or exercising for the human beings who will appreciate you later passion to see it through. trivial things like what type of wrapping New Year, but.... in life for the time you spent with them. Let’s make 2019 a year to remember. paper they should use. It does not really matter. It just gets torn to shreds anyways. I personally prefer to give rather than to receive gifts. I think most people appreciate something small and thoughtful rather than something expensive. Finding something personal or making something yourself means that you put some real thought and effort into your gift and into that person. As you are writing your wish list this year, try to avoid materialistic desires and make a list of things that could benefit others instead. Gifts are not based on their price tags and they come in all shapes and sizes. Go to church with your family to please your parents, volunteer at a soup kitchen with friends, donate toys to a toy drive for those less fortunate than you and spend time with the slightly annoying relatives. Be bigger than yourself this season. We should also keep Jesus in mind and what He would have wanted, since it is His birthday. I know I like being remembered on my birthday after all. Jesus asks us to love our neighbors as ourselves. Let’s all work toward giving Him that gift this holiday season and throughout 2019. Merry Christmas, everyone! photo opinion What is your favorite Christmas tradition?

Domenic Anzelone James Jurcev Anna Lipinski Sofia Perez Mrs. Giacobbe Mr. Nicholson freshman sophomore junior senior science teacher math teacher

I love watching my We have all our family Burning down our On Christmas Eve, my Every Friday after My family makes family open their over on Christmas Christmas tree. family comes over and Thanksgiving, my at least 25 different presents. The sheer Eve and cook Over the fire, we roast we eat, dance and family and I brave types of cookies from enjoyment of seeing traditional Croatian marshmallows and laugh until midnight. the cold and head to scratch. We also go to their faces light up is food for my dad’s side make s’mores. We At exactly 12 a.m., the Christkindlemart see “It’s a Wonderful what Christmas is all of the family. We also all wear matching we gather around the downtown. We do Life” on the big screen about. The work that go to Midnight Mass pajamas, even our Nativity scene and some Christmas at a theater. On our parents put into at our church, St. dog. Once the tree is uncover the Baby shopping and enjoy Christmas Day, we get buying us gifts is truly Alexander. burnt out, we watch “A Jesus to symbolize his some delicious up at 6 a.m. to open underappreciated. Christmas Story.” birth. Then we pray. German food. gifts and eat breakfast. PAGE FOUR SPORTS DECEMBER 14, 2018 varsity girls’ RedHawks win historic back-to-back state titles Carolyn Yusa “You have to keep building throughout senior reporter the season,” Vidovic said. “I think the belief was there. We knew it was possible, The RedHawk girls’ varsity volleyball but we knew it was not going to be easy. team, under the leadership of head coach For example, we lost to Benet at the end Jordan Vidovic, triumphed over Downers of the regular season, faced them again at Grove North to take the state title for the state, but in the end you could see that our second year in a row. hard work payed off.” The team came away with a strong win, Junior outside hitter Avery Jedry scoring 25-21 in the first set and 25-11 in also commented on how much Vidovic the second set on Nov. 10 at Redbird Arena encouraged teamwork and trust among his at State University. players as part of his coaching style. Last year, Vidovic and his team won “Coach Vidovic has taught me that, in both state and nationals. This year marked order to be successful, you have to believe the third time the RedHawks advanced to in your team as much as you believe in state and this is only team in school history yourself,” Jedry said. “Volleyball is not a to win back-to-back titles. one-man sport, so in order to do big things “It was interesting to be back there in the you have to trust your coach and your same arena with a whole new team with team.” different strengths and weaknesses than last Vidovic now has not only coached two year,” Vidovic said. “It was an awesome state champion team, but has also made a feeling to know we started from scratch lasting impression on his players. and ended up back in that same spot while “From Coach Vidovic I have learned doing it in a completely different way.” to trust myself and others,” senior captain Vidovic’s approach this season focused Abby Callahan said. “I can speak for all on starting fresh after the team lost nine of my teammates when I say we know photo by Patti Arvesen seniors at the end of last season. He that the hard work we did was the reason Members of the RedHawk varsity volleyball team acknowledge their fans as they continued to push his team to be the best we finished where we did. We have now celebrate their second consecutive state win at Illinois State University’s Redbird they could. He prepared his players to learned that in life you have to trust in Arena on Nov. 10. The RedHawks are the only team in school history to win back- expect greater resolve and competition everything you do, even when things get to-back state championships, and the team also won nationals last year. from opposing teams this year as the tough, and that is because of him.” returning state champions. An alum of Brother Rice, Vidovic Rice so he could be at our practice. Aside leadership roles. I want them to put their “One piece of advice we talked about learned in September that he was being from that, he is very approachable and own twist on it and make it their own. I from day one was doing all of the little inducted into the school’s Athletic Hall of genuinely values our input on everything think they’re ready for next season.” things consistently,” Vidovic said. “Being Fame. He and his fellow honorees were team-related.” Vidovic would not speculate about a disciplined and detailed in everything we recognized at Rice’s homecoming game. Vidovic said that losing this year’s 2019 RedHawk three-peat. did on and off the court, which we did Vidovic did not attend, something that seniors is bittersweet, but he remains “We just have to take all the little things really well, contributed to our success.” Callahan points to as yet another indication optimistic about next year’s talent. we learned this year into next year,” Vidovic also stated that the attitude and of the coach’s selflessness. “We have strong juniors who are excited Vidovic said. “We will not magically be work ethic of the players improved as the The best part of having him as a coach is to take the seniors’ places,” Vidovic said. this amazing team unless we remember season progressed, which also played an that he always puts us first,” Callahan said. “I am excited for them to take what they those little things. You have to start each important role in getting them to state. “He chose not to attend that ceremony at learned this season and step into the senior season fresh.”

varsity football Dawczak, team reflect on positives this season Elijah Ikezoe-Jones really began to enjoy each other’s senior reporter company,” Dawczak said. Team members echoed their coach’s observations about how well the team Head varsity football coach Ron bonded this season. Dawczak and the RedHawks wrapped “We were a big family,” senior Shamar up their second season together with a Taylor said. “Whenever we faced any level 14-3 loss to Brother Rice in the IHSA 8A of adversity throughout the season, Coach division playoff semifinal game. Dawczak always reminded us that if we The team lost only two games this could not do it alone we needed to look to season, both to Rice. our brothers for help.” While the team did not achieve its goal Because of the way Dawczak treats of making it to state, Dawczak is more than his players and cares about their personal happy with the team’s performance this success, he has earned the utmost respect season. and admiration of the team. “It was a great year,” Dawczak said. “Not only is he smart in his game “When you look back at the year as a planning on the field, but he helps and whole, we were able to accomplish a lot of cares for each one of us as individuals,” great things.” Taylor said. Dawczak emphasized that winning a The team is not the only one to recognize state title was only one of many goals he the outstanding job Dawczak has done in set with his players this year. his short time as head coach. photo by Alyssa Lang “It is not just about wins on the field, After a 34-13 victory in week seven but it is about setting these guys up for against Nazareth Academy, Dawczak Junior wide receiver Jadon Thompson returns the second half kickoff as his success in life,” Dawczak said. “They were was named “Coach of RedHawk teammates block and clear a path during the semifinal game of the able to learn and see what it means to be the Week.” The award is given weekly IHSA Division 8A state playoffs against Brother Rice on Nov. 17. The RedHawks successful. The way that they grew and to coaches in the Chicagoland area who lost, ending their season with an 11-2 record and going undefeated in conference. matured as the year went on was a great excel in their performance and leadership thing to see.” skills and includes a $1,500 prize for the Although Dawczak has only been Both the coaching staff and the team Dawczak feels that the strong work ethic RedHawk football program. coaching at the varsity level for two years, anticipate exciting challenges next season. and the bonds players formed with one Dawczak is invited to to be he was able to finish the season with a final “There are so many things to look another separated this year’s team from recognized on Dec.16 when the Bears take record of 11-2, going undefeated with a 7-0 forward to next season,” Dawczak said. other teams he has worked with. on the Packers. record in conference. “Being a part of a new conference and “The level of camaraderie on the team “To be recognized by the Bears is a great Dawczak plans on preparing the team facing a tougher schedule are things we and how hard they worked in the off-season honor because there are so many great for next season by focusing on the process can look at that will be a motivating force brought them closer together and they all coaches and teams around us,” he said. of what it takes to be successful. as we move forward.”