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December 2007 THE FALCON INSIDE: INSIDE: Christmas on Campus p. 4-5 Sports p. 8 ST. JOSEPH HIGH SCHOOL Vol. XLX Number 3 The Student Newspaper of St. Joseph High School, Metuchen, N.J. December 2007 Breaking Down Cultural Barriers – JUNIOR RING CEREMONY International Students at St. Joe’s, Part I Tradition Rings On By Michael Lee By Matthew Kuchtyak walked up to four different Associate Editor Associate Editor stations to receive their rings from faculty members who are In terms of unusual hobbies, The St. Joe’s community alumni of the school. fascinating experiences, and came together once again to “The Junior Ring Ceremony distinct passions, the stories of continue one of the school’s is an opportunity for the St. St. Joe’s students are unique. many traditions. On December Joe’s community to solidify However, several students have 7, approximately 130 juniors the bonds connecting students, extraordinary stories. They have and their families gathered in faculty, alumni, and parents come from other countries with the Vincent Maglio Gymnasium with the charisma of the Broth- entirely different cultures. Photo by Aaron Knowlson Photo by Lucas Zavala for the annual Junior Ring Cer- ers of the Sacred Heart,” Mr. Before arriving in New Jer- Minh Nguyen from Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam Fausto Llinguicota from emony, where current juniors Fischer said. sey in September 2006, sopho- Santo Domingo, Ecuador and Jun Yan from Taiyuan, China are received their class rings. The event began at 7:00 p.m. more Minh Nguyen lived in the enjoying their time at St. Joe’s. The proceedings began with and lasted for an hour and a bustling city of Ho Chi Minh in Ecuadorian roots. Fausto fondly American colleges and universi- a PowerPoint presentation by half. After the main ceremony, Vietnam. Like most teenagers, recalls his youth in the city of ties would provide better oppor- St. Joe’s President, Mr. Law- parents and their sons gathered Minh attended school and spent Santo Domingo de los Colorados. tunities for his future. rence Walsh, ‘68, which chron- for a short social during which time with his friends. There, his school enacted more Living almost completely inde- icled the Brothers’ early history refreshments were served. However, according to Minh, lenient policies. Fútbol, known pendently, Jun Yan has encoun- beginning with their order’s Many students sensed the his life in Vietnam differed vastly in the United States as soccer, is tered several difficulties not nor- formation in Lyon, France. importance of the event and its from his life now. For example, universally loved. mally faced by American high During the presentation, the meaning. Junior Jack Woolley education in America focuses on In particular, Fausto remem- school students. For example, Brothers walked together into commented, “I felt inspired. fewer details but places a greater bers the annual festivals held on besides having to work diligently the gymnasium, placing the The ceremony was a great emphasis on deep, analytical July 3. Similar to America’s own to master the English language, he rings on the altar. Brother Peter, experience that has motivated thought. The pace of life in Amer- Independence Day, the celebra- must also cook his own food and who led the procession, then me to make the most of my time ica is also much faster compared tions commemorate the founding arrange for his own transportation blessed the rings. here at St. Joe’s, and go out into to that of Vietnam. of Santo Domingo de los Colora- whenever he has extracurricular Mr. Wayne Fischer, Dean the world and make a difference The transition from Vietnam- dos. Every year, jubilant Ecua- activities. of Studies, announced the stu- with the values and education I ese to American life has created dorians, clad in vividly-colored Initially, culture shock also dents’ names. Students then have received.” many obstacles for Minh. “At traditional clothing, parade along complicated life for Jun Yan. first, I missed my family and the main streets of the city. The “Some of my preconceptions friends, and I had trouble with my whole community enjoys custom- were totally subjective and vocabulary. I wanted to go back ary Ecuadorian cuisine, such as thus needed to be abandoned. to Vietnam. However, as time papas con arroz, ensaladas, maize, Sometimes, it is difficult to accept passed, I became more comfort- and a variety of other dishes. new perspectives because most able with the American lifestyle. Current junior Jun Yan Miao of the previous ones had been Now, I want to stay,” Minh said. began attending St. Joe’s in Feb- indoctrinated deeply during the As a result of his experiences, ruary 2007, shortly after moving previous seventeen years of my Minh said that he has become from the urban area of Taiyuan life.” more independent and introspec- in China. However, despite all the over- tive. In China, students spend the whelming obstacles Jun Yan has Because his father previously majority of their day in school. faced, he has made remarkable lived in the United States, soph- “The alternation of intensive study strides in adjusting to American omore Fausto Llinguicota first and activities is delicately orga- life. moved to New Jersey in 2000. nized and systematic. However, The different backgrounds of Learning English at a young age the defect of this kind of school these students enrich the commu- made the adjustment to American day is a frustrating deprivation of nity and contribute to the unique- life relatively easy. personal time,” Jun Yan said. ness of St. Joe’s. Consequently, Photo by Lucas Zavala Although Fausto has lived in Emphasizing the “American diversity promotes acceptance Bob Cambell, John Nolan, and Dillon Sprowls show off their the United States for nearly seven Dream,” Jun Yan explained that and unity among all members of new rings. years, he is still in touch with his the superior education offered by the St. Joe’s family. Advent Mass and Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony By Kevin Corlett opening performance, Mass was Managing Editor celebrated by Rev. Michael G. Krull, ’76, Pastor of Our Lady Alumni, current students, of Victories in Sayreville. family, and invited guests gath- The assembly then moved ered in the Vincent Maglio Gym- to the front lawn for the annual nasium on Saturday, December 8 Tree Lighting Ceremony and for what Development Director the singing of traditional Christ- Mr. Jerry Pawlowski described mas carols. With spirits uplifted, as “the annual event that brings the St. Joe’s family sat down St. Joseph High School together and enjoyed a delicious buffet in the holiday spirit.” meal while listening to Christ- The Advent Mass and Christ- mas music played by the New mas Tree Lighting Ceremony Jersey Youth Symphony String celebrated the opening of the Quartet. advent season with 450 mem- The Advent Mass and Christ- bers of the St. Joe’s community mas Tree Lighting Ceremony present. proved to be a great experience The evening began at 5:45 and a wonderful success. The p.m. with a bell concert by The evening was enriching to every- Saint Matthew the Apostle Bell one in attendance, and released Photos by Aaron Knowlson Choir. Soon after this beautiful Christmas spirit into the air. The St. Matthew the Apostle Bell Choir, the N.J. Youth Symphony String Quartet, and the St. Joe’s Liturgical Music Ministry Choir provided the sounds of the season. THE FALCON December 2007 Philmont, New Mexico: Wilderness Adventure By Lucas Zavala Managing Editor Emerging from tents arranged along a hiking trail, the 11-man crew looked toward the sky and beheld a magnificent sight: a misty tree line sporadically inter- rupted by craggy, snow-capped peaks and tinted golden by the rising sun. In this fashion, the Scouts began each day of an expedition lasting from July 24 Photo by Jon Ramteke to August 8. Freshman Vincent Bucci- This jinja (shrine) showing the torii (shrine gate) is next to Jon’s Photo by Mr. A. Buccigrossi, Sr. school. grossi, sophomore Matt Granas, Matt Granas, Ryan Carlucci, Vincent Buccigrossi and Anthony Buc- and juniors Anthony Buccigrossi cigrossi, Jr. hiked more than 70 miles on a wilderness trek this past Part 3 and Ryan Carlucci traveled to summer. Jon’s Life in Japan, Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimar- ron, New Mexico as part of an High altitudes required them to amongst the group members. By Jon Ramteke green tea to reach the complex. intensive wilderness training exhibit both physical and mental Conquering feelings of home- Foreign Correspondent It was literally empty due to the weather. We passed through the program. endurance. The mountainous trails sickness and exhaustion, they Two major religions co-exist mon and walked down a path After purchasing the necessary exceeded 10 miles in length and pulled together on the last day and in contemporary Japan: Shin- lined with giant trees. A stream camping gear and completing had to be completed before night- managed to complete the 11-mile toism and Buddhism. Shinto- accented by a vermilion bridge three practice hikes, the group, fall. At each campsite, special hike back to base camp. ism, considered to be the indig- gurgled nearby. accompanied by its Scout Mas- precautions were taken to keep “I grew closer to my broth- enous religion of the country, After climbing several steps, ter, Mr. Buccigrossi, embarked food and supplies safe from bears er and father during the course honors a pantheon of spirits we reached the central build- on a plane ride to Albuquerque, and other wild animals. Food and of the trip,” Anthony said. from nature. My host family is ing. There, the three of us threw New Mexico.

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