May 2017 Saint Basil Academy 711 Fox Chase Road Volume 84 Issue 6 Basilian Pillar Justice Served, Message Received The Next Tess White '19 Chapter: NHS “The Constitution belongs to the Induction people,” announced U.S. Supreme Court Justice Alito as he began his presentation at Regina Campion '20 the Union League March 23, 2017. A select group of SBA students had the pleasure of attending this event. Sophomore, Colleen On April 24, 2017, new inductees Quinn, described the event as, “as an were welcomed into the Saint Macrina experience she will never forget.” For a Chapter of the National Honors Society. man who is the final decision on many These girls, who have proven their important cases, he was unassuming and academic prowess, were chosen based down-to-Earth. He spoke with candor and on the Four Pillars of the National wit, leaving the audience enlightened and amused. He delved deep into discussing the Honors Society, which include true importance and depth of the liberties Scholarship, Service, Leadership, and we are all granted thanks to the U.S. Character. Constitution. A strict Constitutionalist, Alito Together, with the help of faculty holds firm that judges should apply the adviser Mrs. Fina and school NHS constitution as it is written, interpreting the President, Uma Patel, the students of law not recreating it. He believes that Saint Basil Academy were able to pursue personal and political views should not and excel in each of these standards. affect the laws that all must follow. The Scholarship is determined by a student’s Constitution belongs to all people, not one demonstration to learn and continue to group over another. search for knowledge. Service is the Justice Alito, during his time on the student's experiences to help, while court, has learned to appreciate his own working towards a better future for freedom of speech, claiming it to have everyone. Leaders that fulfill the pillar equal importance to the air that we breathe, for National Honors Society take the however this freedom, he worries, is Mrs. Fina becoming increasingly infringed upon. He necessary steps to guide others. These believes the First Amendment is “the jewel 6 SBA students had the pleasure of going downtown to attend the Justice leaders pave new roads and put others of our Constitution.” Alito spoke about the Alito event, accompanied by Mrs. Fina. before themselves to serve their needs. situation of censorship on many college Character distinguishes an NHS girl campuses as an atrocity against the core than embracing them as talking points for Constitution. from any other girl. These girls all share beliefs of our Founding Fathers. Our further debate. He reminded all that the We may not always agree with how scholarship, service, and leadership. The Founding Fathers held the freedom of all First Amendment was not made for speech one uses their freedom of speech, but in the way they display these best qualities everyone agrees with; it was created to words of French philosopher, Voltaire, “I speech, regardless of its popularity, at the sets them apart from the crowd. They protect the outliers, people who go against disapprove of what you say but I will highest importance. Some young people demonstrate responsibility, justice, today, however, do not see a problem with the norm, and those who truly challenge defend to the death your right to say it.” society. Justice Alito believes that without Justice Alito impressed upon the crowd that citizenship, honesty, and compassion. silencing speech that they do not like The SBA community congratulates the because they find it offensive. They feel dissent, debate, and discussion, there would words should not be feared, but silence and exemplary members of the National threatened by opposing viewpoints rather be no true Democracy; he sees freedom of suppression are a true threat to our freedom. speech as a defining characteristic of the Honors Society. The French Election and what it A Magical Mini-THON means for all Zoe Dixon '20 morning, we all danced like crazy, but once Erin Drumm '20 President Vladimir Putin, yet still collaborate 3 A.M. rolled around, the exhaustion began with Russia to combat Islamic terrorists who to kick in. I was doing anything just to fight have harmed France. Macron supports the the exhaustion, from jumping on the bouncy North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) The SBA Mini -Thon, one of St. Basil castle, to drinking soda, to eating sugary France, among the most significant and is both pro-Europe and pro- Academy's largest fundraisers, was held on candy. countries in the world and America’s first ally, internationalism. May 12th, 2017. All the money raised during After hours of dancing and fun activities just elected a new president, Emmanuel Furthermore, he plans to increase the this twelve-hour dance event goes directly time we all had been waiting for, the Macron. The En Marche! candidate won with foreign aid budget in order to help France’s towards the Four Diamonds Foundation. announcement of the total amount of money 65.8% of the votes over Marine Le Pen, the allies and other countries in need, especially When I came to Basil’s in September, I was raised, came around. Overall, we raised over National Front candidate. African nations. Also, so excited to participate in this event. $30,000 for the kids. Macron is an independent "Although French president- France’s president- Finally, once May 12th rolled around I I can say as a freshman this was one of the centrist, who has never elect is held any office, and at elect Emmanuel Macron has could barely make best nights of my pro-immigration; he is thirty-nine years old, he is it through the life. Thank you to never held political office, his against President the youngest president in school day everyone who put Donald Trump’s move French history. ideals of peace, prosperity and without thinking this amazing and to build a wall between Macron plans to freedom have won over the about our Disney- fun event Mexico and the United themed THON. improve job training, French and are sure to bring States. In spite of his together! It was transportation and At 7 p.m. I came truly magical, just change to the foreign nation." anti-immigration ban back to school to healthcare, among other stance, Macron plans as its effects on issues. He plans to give dance the night the lives of young to increase the limit for away with the rest more flexibility to Erin Drumm defense spending and princes and industry, cutting taxes on of my Basil princesses to strengthen security labor and business. Another one of his goals is forces. Although French president-elect sisters. The only certainly will be! worry I had was to unite France through a fight against Emmanuel Macron has never held political growing tired as Tess White '19 political divisions. office, his ideals of peace, prosperity and the night went on. On the international scene, France will freedom have won over the French and are Tess White and Colleen Quinn share in remain a member of the European Union, From 7 at night sure to bring change to the foreign nation. while trying to strengthen the EU as a whole. to 7 in the the magic that is Mini-Thon Macron wants to confront Russian Federation Basilian Pillar 2 May, 2017 Editorials & News Letters from the Editors Tess White '19 Maddie Riehman '17 Ezekiel 16:4 reads, “As is the mother, so is the As "Friends" television sitcom character daughter.” Meaning that the first and foremost Phoebe Buffay bluntly put it, “They don't role model in every young girl’s life is her mother, know that we know they know we know.” And the woman charged with her protection since while we figure that out, there is one thing for before birth. A mother to many is someone who certain: this is the May edition of the Basilian imparts not only affection, but also morals. They Pillar-- my final opportunity to edit the turn these lessons, which are merely words, into Basilian Pillar. action, providing an example of a life to emulate. I cannot help but feel bittersweet. I will By this definition, Saint Basil Academy students always look back at my years at SBA and have are blessed by a wealth of mothers. As a school founded and run by females, the biggest smile on my face. The teachers, the Saint Basil Academy is a community that prides coaches, and especially the girls have made itself on fostering the development of capable and my time at the academy most memorable. confident young women. A community of women I take with me all of the Halloween helping women is one unparalleled. Nothing festivities, Spirit Days, THONs, picnics, and sends a more powerful message to girls during proms. But, as the saying goes, “All good their formative years, than to be constantly Tess White '19 Maddie Riehman '17 things must come to an end.” surrounded by those they admire. Co-Editor Co-Editor At this time, I want to extend to a special Out of all the mothers in Saint Basil thank you to faculty also leaving us. Mrs. Academy, we will soon say goodbye to two whom have left an indelible mark on each of their Schmitt has graciously served as a math teacher at SBA for 36 years. Also, a big thank you students, Ms. Cotê and Mrs. Schmitt. Ms. Cotê has made changes in scheduling and curriculum that goes to Ms. Cote. As Principal, Ms. Cote has improved so many things.