SENTINEL Saints’ Volume 1: Issue 2 January 2019 Saints Celebrates Catholic Schools’ Week by Gabriela Castaneda-Pineda Every year, Catholic schools they put in each and every day. Students were the focus on Tuesday around the country take one Members from Lasallian Youth of Catholic Schools’ Week week to celebrate everything baked, packaged, and passed that makes them special, from out cookies to teachers on the curriculum to the people. Wednesday as a way of thanking From January 28 to February them for all of their efforts. 1, Saint Rays celebrated Catholic Thursday focused on all Schools Week. The school kicked the communities that support off this special week on Monday Catholic schools. Lastly, Friday with a mass, led by a Young is dedicated to those that make photo by N. Cifune Lasallian coordinator, as a way of it possible for students to attend reflecting on the impact Catholic Saint Rays: the parents. Once prayer card that will be passed the devotion and sacrifices of schools have on the faith of the again, Lasallian Youth members out in the morning before school. students, parents, faculty, staff, student body. are working together to show Though Catholic Schools’ and the community, as well as Tuesday and Wednesday everyone’s appreciation for the Week is only five days out of the feel blessed for the opportunity acknowledged the students and Saints’ parents by creating small year, it is important to always to receive such a wonderful teachers for all the hard work gift bags filled with candy and a remember and be grateful for Catholic education. Giving Kids Surviving Comfort Exams Willia Burton-Orr by Theresa Wagner by Sydney Charette When people go to bed each Finally, relax. Midterm exams writing notes, making Quizlets, night, they may thank God for a have come and gone. During the or reviewing Power Points. roof over their heads but forget weeks leading up to exams half The best strategy seems to be to be thankful for comfortable of the student body can usually to prepare but not over prepare, clothes on their bodies. This is be seen running around being be relaxed but not careless, and a blessing that Saints’ own Willia frantic and stressed, studying work hard but not too hard. Burton-Orr does not take for until their eyes hurt, and writing Balance is key. granted. until their fingers ache. If midterms did not go as well At the age of twelve, Willia photo courtesy of Whether a senior or freshmen, as planned, do not stress. You The Cranston Herald entered foster care. She some fear or anxiety is associated still have time to figure it out. recalls spending two days after several groups of which she is a with exams. However, some In five short months, the same her arrival in an emergency part, including Ebenezer Baptist students have found tips and frantic and stressful air will placement home in her pajamas, Church, Bishop Hendricken High tricks that get them through this sweep through the hallways. having no other clothes to School’s co-ed theatre program, exhausting week. Students used extra time change into. While recounting Saint Raphael Academy, and the “Midterms help to gauge what before exams for last minute the memory to her father, Willia Rhode Island community. you know. Just think of it as studying. was inspired to ensure children Willia explains the significance any other test,” Sabrina Youn in similar situations were given of pajamas to a child in foster advises. John Brennan adds, more than the clothes on their care. The simple item provides “If you stress about midterms, backs, and that is precisely what a sense of “safety and feeling you’ll do worse. Go in relaxed she did. of comfort” to those deprived of and confident. You’ll get used to Willia’s compassion and these basic necessities. Willia’s it.” commitment guaranteed infants, empathy should inspire our own, Shannon Jeanty and Kezia children, and teenagers new improving the lives of children Makor encourage other students pajamas. She organized the drive and teenagers in need of such to find what method of studying photo by and received donations from love. works for them, whether it be re- Sydney Charette 2 News Spotlight: Ms. Nelson by Jeremy Knox Underpaid, underappreciated, spreads her joy, enthusiasm, just find you all so interesting. and irreplaceable. Just a few and wisdom to all who enter her Q: What is the most difficult words that describe the men and classroom. part about your job? women who spend nearly every Q: What made you want to be A: Well I’m not very detail waking moment dedicated to a teacher? oriented. Some teachers make educating and melding the minds A: I got lucky honestly. I had a fun of my itinerary on the board, of the children who will one day lot of amazing teachers growing but I need it to keep me on run the world. Countless hours up, all the way from grade track. In such an open-ended are spent planning, teaching, school to high school, and even class like English so many things supporting and giving, whether through college. can come up, some of them just or not they receive a thank you Q: Was there a specific teacher happen to be more interesting Ms. Rebecca Nelson or sign of appreciation – yet it’s that inspired you the most? than the topic at hand. photo by H. Gaffney-Hsu worth it. Although our Saint’s A: My 8th grade English teacher Q: What’s one thing you want teachers like Ms. Nelson would community has been blessed Mr. Colleti. I don’t know, he just students to learn in your class? argue that the fulfillment and joy by many passionate mentors, always wanted us to challenge A: The idea that authors write gained from teaching is worth today’s spotlight is shined on what he said and have us create with intentions and to appreciate more than any amount of money our one and only Ms. Rebecca our own ideas and opinions. the time and effort that goes into the world has to offer. Ms. Nelson. Students who have Q: What is your favorite part literature. I want them to gain Nelson’s story, passion, and love experienced her class agree, about your job? the ability to take something of teaching are an inspiration to and those who have not are sure A: You guys, the students. I positive out of everything they all, and her efforts are proven to realize the truth as well – Ms. love seeing you guys grow and read. to be fruitful through her effects Nelson is a kind, passionate, develop throughout the four Although many may argue that on her students and those who incredibly intelligent woman who years you’re here. I genuinely teachers are underappreciated, work with her. Learning how to ECHO by Emily Fournier God is not just some to all Saints’ students during omnipotent, unearthly and the winter of their senior year. unapproachable entity. God is For those students doubting the joy, the happiness, and the the power of this retreat, relief we feel when touched by relying on brash assumptions another. He is the empathy and made from limited information, love we relay onto those around please bear an open mind and Seniors attended ECHO retreats in December and January. us. This is the most prominent try to reconsider. Every year, photo by M. Murphy message taught throughout there are students who expect ECHO, a spiritual retreat open it to be a waste of their time, citing that their judgments in your life, you just have to let towards themselves and their him in.” Ryan Obenchain claims, peers are well-informed and “You learn a lot about yourself unchangeable. However, every and your classmates. You arrive student that attends this special at ECHO not knowing everyone SENTINEL and leave as a family.” weekend returns to school with Saints 2018-2019 Staff Members a new outlook on life and new While not much information Staff Writers: Staff Photographers: and rekindled relationships with can be given about the weekend, Gabriela Castaneda-Pineda Gabriela Castaneda-Pineda others. as its leaders emphasize Sydney Charette Emily Fournier Alivia Diaz recalls, “It was a confidentiality due to the Anna-Marie Ferris Gianna Medeiros Emily Fournier Hector Padilla great experience I will never sensitive issues it dissects, it can Emily Gaboriault forget. When I attended ECHO, be said that ECHO is a time for Copy Editors: Jeremy Knox Gabriela Castaneda-Pineda I didn’t think I would learn so reflection on one’s self and faith. Ben Senra Emily Gaboriault much about how important it is “Life is an echo. What you Jordan Severino Emily Fournier Kylie McLaughlin to do your best in always seeing send, comes back. What you Theresa Wagner Gianna Medeiros Christ in others. It gave me a sow, you reap. What you give, Hector Padilla Layout Editors: new perspective on people.” She you get. What you see in others, Jack Rigley Anna-Marie Ferris adds, “If you’re a future senior exists in you. Your life is an echo. Jesus Santos Jeremy Knox thinking about going on ECHO, I It always gets back to you.” Ryan Sutherland Gianna Medeiros Theresa Wagner Jordan Severino say go for it. Go in open-minded ECHO is an otherworldly and and you will have a great time. unforgettable experience that Faculty Advisor: Heather Gaffney-Hsu God wants you to do great things every senior should have. Sports 3 Hoops Record Setting They Did It Again Season by Ben Senra by Sydney Charette Woah… did you just see The Saints’ Girls Basketball that? Was it a bird, a car, The Team has started their season Flash? No, it was the Saint strong, holding the 1st place Raphael Academy Track Team! position in Division 1 branch It would be an C.